as in to raise hell
to behave badly
because his parents spent so much time with his chronically ill sister, the boy resorted to acting out in order to get attention
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Recent Examples of act out
In addition to potentially clogging the Heat payroll, Butler also could again limit trades with threats to either not extend or to act out in a similar fashion to what currently has been at play.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025
Gracie using Benjamin Bratt to act out self-defense moves on national TV?
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025
Being a chameleon as a musician is one thing — Cyrus always had a great voice — but her ongoing identity crisis and need to act out came to define what was otherwise a productive and interesting time.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Vanessa Saba Listen to this article · 5:23 min Learn more
By Christina Caron
Feb. 20, 2025
When Jennifer S. Wortham was a teenager, her younger brother Patrick started acting out and getting in trouble at school.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025
Gracie using Benjamin Bratt to act out self-defense moves on national TV?
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025
Being a chameleon as a musician is one thing — Cyrus always had a great voice — but her ongoing identity crisis and need to act out came to define what was otherwise a productive and interesting time.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Vanessa Saba Listen to this article · 5:23 min Learn more
By Christina Caron
Feb. 20, 2025
When Jennifer S. Wortham was a teenager, her younger brother Patrick started acting out and getting in trouble at school.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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Severe crashes were typically due to failure to yield, failure to reduce speed, improper or unsafe lane usage, disobeying traffic signs and signals, and roadway departure, according to Vissers’ presentation.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
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The suspect disobeyed and was subsequently shot, OPD said.—
Elainie Barraza,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the meantime, aside from Ohio and another cancellation in Oklahoma City due to back injury, the tour has in fact not been ruined − carrying on as planned.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
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The card takes place at Arena CDMX and will be carried on ESPN2.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Her pain can act up suddenly and seemingly comes without rhyme or reason.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
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The hourlong descent appeared to go well until the final approach when the laser navigation system began acting up.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Farmers in western Pennsylvania who distilled the liquor rebelled in 1791, resulting in three years of conflict with government troops.—
Bill Hamilton,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2025
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Most players respected the order but a few rebelled against it in newsworthy moments.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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