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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of act out
Travelers who act out drunk in public risk a fine up to €4,000 (around $4,300.64), the U.K. website states.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
The show opens with the filming of a Continental movie, with Paul Dano acting out a deadly fight scene while director Peter Berg looks on.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
The skits are loose and funny and acted out entirely by college students.
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2025
Zimmerman had argued that while the defendant in his case, William Gregory — charged with drug possession, criminal trespass and shoplifting— had clearly acted out of self-interest and that the vaccine was for the societal good and indicative of Gregory’s rehabilitation.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
The show opens with the filming of a Continental movie, with Paul Dano acting out a deadly fight scene while director Peter Berg looks on.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
The skits are loose and funny and acted out entirely by college students.
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2025
Zimmerman had argued that while the defendant in his case, William Gregory — charged with drug possession, criminal trespass and shoplifting— had clearly acted out of self-interest and that the vaccine was for the societal good and indicative of Gregory’s rehabilitation.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for act out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out
Verb
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After a federal judge ordered the government to respond to the accusation that CBP disobeyed a court order by deporting Alawieh, lawyers from the Justice Department denied the accusation the morning of March 17, court records show.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
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Her attorneys argue the government disobeyed the order.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Fast forward to today, and Jonathan is carrying on the family’s tradition of quality craftsmanship — but in an entirely different world and country, his family having moved to America in the late 1970s.—
Kyle J. Russell,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Following the passing of Alabama bandmember Jeff Cook in November 2022, Owen and Gentry carry on Alabama’s mission of bringing the group’s music to fans.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Clarke Schmidt’s back acted up, and then his shoulder.—
Brendan Kuty,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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The elbows acted up again this past offseason, forcing Stanton to stop swinging a few weeks before reporting to spring training.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Given recent rumors that those in bondage intended to rebel, the delegation accepted his explanation, withdrew and convinced the waiting crowd outside to disperse.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
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Elphaba and Glinda, who spent the first act and film becoming unlikely friends, go their separate ways as Elphaba chooses to rebel against the Wizard and Glinda stays behind.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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