acts out
Performs without words
Acts out means to express emotions or impulses through behavior rather than words, often disruptively.
A child acts out when upset, misbehaving to signal distress.
The phrase also means to perform or dramatize: The students acted out the scene from the play.
Someone who acts out their fantasies pursues them in reality.
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- attention-seekingCraving others' focus
- cries for helpVocalizations requesting urgent assistance
- dramatizeDepict with heightened emotion
- inner childYouthful aspect of psyche
temper tantrum · throws a fit · defiance · mimic · venting · letting off steam · behavior · perform · role playing · externalize · outburst · misbehaves · bad behavior · catharsis · depict · displacement · reenact · rebellious
acts outbottles up
Suppresses emotions internally
suppresses · represses · internalizes · contains · restrains
acts outarticulates
Expresses in words
verbalizes · talks through · discusses · describes · narrates
acts outbehaves
Acts appropriately
complies · obeys · conforms · toes the line · falls in line
act, action, active, actor, out, acting, activity, actress, react