act out

verb

acted out; acting out; acts out

transitive verb

1

a

: to represent in action

children act out what they read

b

: to translate into action

unwilling to act out their beliefs

2

: to express (something, such as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms

intransitive verb

: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (such as fear or frustration)

Synonyms

• act up
• carry on
• misbehave

Examples of act out in a Sentence

because his parents spent so much time with his chronically ill sister, the boy resorted to acting out in order to get attention

Recent Examples on the Web

Then there was Erik Wilson, who has been DoP across all three films, plus Javier Marzan, the professional clown who acted out many of Paddington’s more physical comedy scenes for the animators to work with. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

The pro scout preparing advance reports on opponents will go through the roster and highlight players prone to having their buttons pushed and acting out. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024

The videos, which have amassed millions of views, all start the same; a narrator lip-syncs the opening lyrics as their classmates dance around to act out the story of the song's protagonist, Simón. —Quispe López, Them, 28 Oct. 2024

When Adam acts out, Drew is often sworn at, derided, manipulated and disrespected. —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

act out

verb

1

: to represent in action

children act out what they read

2

: to behave badly especially as a way of letting out painful emotions

Medical Definition

act out

transitive verb

(ˈ)akt-ˈau̇t 

: to express (as an impulse or a fantasy) directly in overt behavior without modification to comply with social norms

act out an adolescent fantasy

intransitive verb

: to behave badly or in a socially unacceptable often self-defeating manner especially as a means of venting painful emotions (as fear or frustration)