ACT OUT Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

act out

verb

Definition of act out

as in to misconduct

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of act out Prosecutors claimed Davis acted out of revenge for Shakur and his crew previously beating on Orlando Anderson, Davis’ nephew. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 Not that many people are in for it – there are keyboard warriors who love to act out online, but to actually show up is a totally different thing. — Justin Levitt, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026 Men brought in from outside are coached to act out romances with her again and again, performing love, regret and guilt while their tears are gathered. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 If Graham fails in her bid, she can be forgiven for acting out of loyalty and love for her brother. — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for act out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for act out

Verb

The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, pointing to misconduct by investigators.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness.

— Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026

Definition of misconduct

Verb

The creditors’ lawsuit describes Kenny as a bullying presence who routinely threatened to fire anyone who disobeyed his orders.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Cops had issued summonses to the driver twice before, once in 2024 for failing to yield to a pedestrian and in 2018 for disobeying a traffic device, officials said.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of disobey

Verb

But sleep was hard to come by, with her daughter’s asthma acting up and the anxiety of the hearing the following day.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Six weeks later, when that integration acts up again, the institutional memory that used to shorten the investigation may not be there.

— Sanjay Gidwani, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of act up

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actors

act out

actress

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“Act out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/act%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of act out

verb

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