Behavioral Psychology Terms

verb past tense of the verb 'accustom', meaning to make someone or something used to something

adjective customary or usual

• She was accustomed to waking up early every morning to meditate.
• I'm accustomed to taking the bus to work since my car broke down.
• He's so accustomed to his favorite coffee shop, he practically lives there.
• The old house was accustomed to the sound of laughter and footsteps echoing through its halls.

adjective showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish

• Her altruistic actions towards the less fortunate are truly commendable.
• I admire how selflessly she helps others, she's so altruistic.
• She's always looking out for everyone, she's like the most altruistic person I know.
• His heart was so full of altruistic love that it overflowed into every aspect of his life.

adjective causing irritation or annoyance

• The constant ringing of the phone was quite annoying during the meeting.
• Stop tapping your pen, it's so annoying!
• Her constant complaining is really starting to bug me.
• The dripping faucet was like an annoying reminder of the leaky roof.

verb to cause someone to become hostile or angry

• It is not wise to antagonize your colleagues in the workplace.
• Don't antagonize your sister, she's already in a bad mood.
• If you keep antagonizing him, you're going to start a fight.
• His constant criticism seemed to antagonize her very soul.

adjective a term used to describe behavior that is harmful or unfriendly towards others, often associated with a lack of interest in socializing or forming relationships

• The psychologist diagnosed him with antisocial personality disorder.
• She tends to be a bit antisocial and prefers to keep to herself.
• He's always been a bit antisocial, never really wanting to hang out with the group.
• His antisocial behavior towards his colleagues isolated him from the team.

noun habit - a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up

• It is important to break any bad habit that may be hindering your productivity.
• I know it's a bad habit, but I can't help biting my nails when I'm nervous.
• Eating junk food late at night is such a bad habit, bro.
• Procrastination is a bad habit that can slowly chip away at your success.

verb to pester or harass someone persistently

adjective feeling annoyed or harassed by persistent questioning or urging

• She felt badgered by the persistent questioning from the reporter.
• Stop badgering me with all these questions!
• The salesperson kept badgering me to buy the product.
• His conscience badgered him for weeks after he made the wrong decision.

verb to act or conduct oneself in a specified way, especially in a social or polite manner

• It is important for employees to behave professionally in the workplace.
• Please behave yourself at the party tonight.
• Don't be a jerk, just behave.
• The storm caused the ocean to behave unpredictably.

noun a psychological theory that states that all behaviors are learned through interactions with the environment

• Behaviorism is a psychological theory that focuses on observable behaviors.
• Some people think behaviorism is all about rewards and punishments.
• I don't really vibe with behaviorism, I prefer cognitive psychology.
• In a way, behaviorism is like training a dog to perform tricks through conditioning.

adjective showing wild, uncontrolled behavior

adverb in a wild and frenzied manner

• The soldier went berserk during the battle, causing chaos among the ranks.
• When I told him the news, he went berserk and started yelling.
• She went totally berserk when she found out her favorite band was coming to town.
• The stock market went berserk after the unexpected announcement.

adjective a term used to describe someone who is prone to making mistakes or errors; lacking in intelligence or good judgment

• The blunderheaded decision led to significant financial losses for the company.
• I can't believe how blunderheaded he was to make such a mistake.
• She's so blunderheaded, always messing things up.
• His blunderheaded approach to life often left him feeling lost and confused.

adjective Cantankerous is used to describe someone who is bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.

• The cantankerous old man refused to speak to anyone at the family gathering.
• My cantankerous neighbor always yells at kids who play near his yard.
• I try to avoid that cantankerous customer at work, he's always so grumpy.
• The storm clouds gathered overhead, looking as cantankerous as a group of angry gods.

adverb in a way that is impossible to resist or control

• She compulsively checked her email every five minutes, even during important meetings.
• He compulsively rearranges his bookshelf whenever he's feeling stressed.
• She's always compulsively scrolling through social media, it's like she can't stop.
• His need for control was so strong, it was like he was compulsively trying to hold the world together.

adjective stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority

• The contumacious behavior of the defendant led to harsher penalties being imposed by the judge.
• Her contumacious attitude towards authority figures often landed her in trouble.
• Don't be so contumacious, just follow the rules like everyone else.
• The contumacious storm refused to let up, causing widespread destruction in its path.

noun a person who imitates or copies the behavior, speech, or appearance of another

• The company filed a lawsuit against the competitor for being a copycat and infringing on their intellectual property.
• Stop being a copycat and come up with your own ideas!
• She's such a copycat, always copying my style.
• His work is just a copycat of the original, lacking any originality or creativity.

noun a person who moves slowly and stealthily in order to avoid being noticed

preposition to move slowly and stealthily alongside someone or something

• The detective observed the suspect's movements and noticed a creep with a suspicious behavior.
• I saw a creep with a shady look hanging around the corner.
• There's a creep with a creepy vibe following us.
• Fear began to creep with a sense of unease as the darkness enveloped the room.

noun a person who is bad-tempered or habitually sulky

adjective bad-tempered or habitually sulky

• The professor was known to be a bit of a crosspatch when it came to grading papers.
• Don't be such a crosspatch, let's just have fun at the party.
• She's always in a bad mood, such a crosspatch.
• His sour attitude made him seem like a crosspatch in the office.

noun open resistance; bold disobedience

adjective defiant (describes a person or behavior characterized by defiance)

• The student showed defiance by refusing to follow the school's dress code.
• She rolled her eyes in defiance when her mom told her to clean her room.
• The teenager's defiance was off the charts when he was told he couldn't go to the party.
• The artist's use of bold colors was a form of defiance against traditional painting techniques.

noun a person who shows a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight

adjective showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight

• Despite the consequences, the defendant remained defiant in court.
• She was defiant when her parents told her she couldn't go out with her friends.
• The teenager was being so defiant when his teacher asked him to put away his phone.
• The artist's brushstrokes were defiant, creating a bold and rebellious masterpiece.

noun a person's outward behavior or bearing

adjective relating to a person's behavior or attitude

• His calm and composed demeanor during the meeting impressed everyone.
• She has a friendly demeanor that makes it easy to approach her.
• I can't stand his cocky demeanor, it's so off-putting.
• The storm's fierce demeanor was a warning of the chaos to come.

verb to discourage or prevent someone from doing something

• The presence of security cameras can deter potential criminals from committing theft.
• Putting up a 'Beware of Dog' sign can deter unwanted visitors from approaching your house.
• Wearing a mask can deter people from recognizing you in public.
• Her confident demeanor can deter anyone from questioning her authority.

noun a person or thing that departs from a standard or accepted course

verb to depart or swerve from a standard or accepted course

• It is important not to deviate from the established procedures in order to maintain consistency.
• Try not to deviate from the plan or we might get lost.
• Don't deviate from the group or you'll be left behind.
• Her mind tends to deviate from reality and wander into the realm of imagination.

noun a sudden outbreak or occurrence of something, such as a volcanic eruption

• The volcanic eruption caused widespread damage to the surrounding area.
• Did you hear about the eruption of that volcano last night?
• The eruption was totally lit, dude!
• The eruption of emotions during the meeting was unexpected.

verb to bring or recall to the conscious mind; elicit or draw out

• The artist's use of color and light in the painting helps evoke a sense of tranquility.
• The movie scene really evoked some strong emotions in me.
• That song always evokes memories of my high school days.
• The smell of fresh-baked cookies can evoke feelings of nostalgia and comfort.

adjective showing strong feelings of irritation or annoyance

• The teacher was exasperated with the students' lack of effort in completing the assignment.
• I could tell he was exasperated by the way he sighed and rolled his eyes.
• She was so exasperated with her boss that she almost walked out of the meeting.
• The constant noise from the construction site exasperated her like nails on a chalkboard.

noun a heavy revolving wheel in a machine that is used to increase the machine's momentum and thereby provide greater stability or a reserve of available power

• The company's consistent growth over the years is a result of the flywheel effect in their business strategy.
• Once the project gains momentum, it's like a flywheel effect - everything starts moving faster and faster.
• When you start seeing success, it's like the flywheel effect kicks in and things just start rolling smoothly.
• The flywheel effect of positive habits can lead to significant improvements in one's life over time.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this phrase, 'extremes' is a noun referring to the furthest or most intense points or levels of something.

verb A word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'go' is a verb indicating movement or action.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'to' is a preposition indicating the direction or goal of the action.

• In order to achieve success, some people may go to extremes in their work ethic.
• She always goes to extremes when it comes to planning parties.
• He really went to extremes to impress his crush.
• When it comes to protecting her family, she will go to extremes to ensure their safety.

verb to move or be drawn toward something, especially by natural tendency or affinity

• Many students tend to gravitate towards STEM fields due to the high demand for skilled professionals.
• I always seem to gravitate towards the same coffee shop because they make the best lattes.
• She just naturally gravitates towards drama and gossip, it's like she can't help herself.
• As a leader, he has a magnetic personality that causes people to gravitate towards him for guidance and support.

noun a person, especially a child, who is extremely difficult to control or manage

adjective used to describe someone or something that causes fear or terror

• The child was known to be a holy terror in the classroom, disrupting lessons and causing chaos.
• Watch out for that little boy, he's a holy terror when he's in a mischievous mood.
• She's a holy terror when she's had too much coffee, always buzzing around and getting into everyone's business.
• The new boss was a holy terror when it came to enforcing deadlines and quality standards.

adjective An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'ill-bred' describes someone who lacks good manners or proper upbringing.

• The ill-bred behavior of the guests was quite evident during the dinner party.
• I can't believe how ill-bred some people can be in public.
• Those ill-bred kids have no manners at all.
• His ill-bred attitude towards others will only lead to trouble in the long run.

adjective An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'ill-tempered' describes someone who is easily irritated or quick to anger.

• The ill-tempered customer demanded to speak to the manager.
• Don't approach him when he's in an ill-tempered mood.
• She can be so grumpy and ill-tempered when she's hungry.
• The storm clouds gathered, mirroring his ill-tempered mood.

adjective not revealing or affected by emotion

• The judge remained impassive throughout the entire trial, carefully considering all the evidence presented.
• She tried to make him laugh with her jokes, but he just sat there impassive.
• I could tell by his impassive expression that he wasn't impressed with the concert.
• Her face was like an impassive mask, hiding all of her true emotions.

verb to mark or stamp (a surface) with a design or inscription

• The logo was imprinted on each product for branding purposes.
• She imprinted her name on the book so no one would steal it.
• He imprinted his tag on the wall to mark his territory.
• The memory of that moment was imprinted in her mind forever.

verb to encourage or stir up violent or unlawful behavior

• The speaker's inflammatory remarks were intended to incite violence among the crowd.
• Don't incite your brother by teasing him about his grades.
• I dare you to incite a fight at the party tonight.
• The artist's bold use of color incites a sense of passion in the viewer.

noun a person who is unable to control bodily functions

adjective unable to control bodily functions, especially urine

• The patient was diagnosed as incontinent and required specialized care.
• She was embarrassed to admit that she was incontinent and needed to wear adult diapers.
• I heard he's incontinent and has to wear granny panties.
• His writing skills were so incontinent that his essays lacked coherence.

noun lack of good judgment or wisdom; behavior that is not sensible or wise

• The politician's indiscretion was widely criticized by the public.
• I heard about Sarah's little indiscretion at the office party.
• He got caught up in some serious indiscretions last night.
• Her indiscretion was like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

noun the quality or state of being unwilling to be taught or disciplined

• The teacher struggled to manage the student's indocility in the classroom.
• The kid's indocility is really getting on my nerves.
• I can't stand your indocility, dude.
• Her indocility towards authority was like a wild horse refusing to be tamed.

noun a natural or intuitive way of acting or thinking.

adjective relating to or prompted by instinct; apparently unconscious or automatic.

• Her decision to trust her instincts proved to be the most instinctive choice she could have made.
• I always go with my gut feeling because it's usually pretty instinctive.
• When it comes to making split-second decisions, it's all about that instinctive vibe.
• His instinctive reaction to danger was like a well-oiled machine, kicking into gear without hesitation.

adjective not able to be reclaimed or recovered

• The damage to the ancient artifact was deemed irreclaimable by the experts.
• Once the milk has gone sour, it's irreclaimable.
• Dude, your phone is irreclaimable after that drop!
• His reputation was irreclaimable after the scandal.

adjective causing annoyance, impatience, or displeasure

• The constant noise from the construction site next door is quite irritating.
• I find it really irritating when people chew with their mouths open.
• Her constant nagging is so irritating, I can't stand it.
• The way he always interrupts me is like a mosquito buzzing in my ear - irritating and hard to ignore.

noun surroundings or environment

• The artist's work is heavily influenced by the cultural milieu of the time period.
• She grew up in a creative milieu surrounded by artists and musicians.
• The party scene in that city has a totally different milieu compared to ours.
• In the competitive business milieu, she was like a fish out of water.

noun a state or quality of being moody or temperamental

• The patient's moodiness could be a symptom of underlying mental health issues.
• I can't keep up with her moodiness, one minute she's happy and the next she's angry.
• Her moodiness is really getting on my nerves lately.
• The storm clouds in his eyes reflected his moodiness.

adjective describing someone or something as foolish or stupid

• It was a moronic decision to invest all the company's funds in a failing project.
• I can't believe you did something so moronic like forgetting your keys inside the car.
• That guy is just plain moronic for trying to pick a fight with someone twice his size.
• Her moronic behavior was like a dark cloud hanging over the otherwise peaceful gathering.

noun the act or practice of obeying; dutiful or submissive compliance

• Obedience to the law is essential for maintaining order in society.
• The dog's obedience training is really paying off.
• She showed mad obedience by following through with the plan.
• In the game of chess, obedience to strategic moves is key to winning.

adjective extremely unpleasant or offensive

• His obnoxious behavior at the meeting was completely unacceptable.
• I can't stand hanging out with him, he's so obnoxious.
• She's always acting all obnoxious around her friends.
• The bright neon sign was obnoxious in the otherwise serene landscape.

adjective able to be seen or noticed

• The scientist made detailed notes on the observable changes in the experiment.
• You can easily see the observable differences between the two products.
• I checked out the observable vibes at the party before deciding to stay.
• The artist's emotions were clearly observable in her abstract painting.

adjective relating to or characterized by opposition

• The oppositional party presented a strong argument against the new legislation.
• She always takes the oppositional stance in our debates.
• I'm not feeling very oppositional today, let's just go with the flow.
• His oppositional behavior towards authority figures often gets him into trouble.

noun the act of giving rise to an action or reaction

verb to cause or bring about something to happen

• The sudden noise outside was prompting me to investigate further.
• Her comment about his haircut was prompting him to fix it.
• The teacher's glare was prompting the students to quiet down.
• The warm weather was prompting the flowers to bloom early.

noun a person who studies and treats the mind and behavior

adjective relating to the study and treatment of the mind and behavior

• The psychologist conducted a series of cognitive tests to assess the patient's memory.
• I heard the psychologist is really good at helping people work through their issues.
• My friend went to see a shrink, I mean psychologist, to talk about his anxiety.
• Sometimes we need to be our own psychologist and analyze our thoughts and emotions.

noun the process of caring for and bringing up children or young animals

adjective relating to the upbringing or care of children or young animals

• The process of rearing children requires a lot of patience and dedication.
• She's done a great job rearing her kids on her own.
• My mom is a pro at rearing us unruly bunch.
• Rearing a successful business takes careful planning and hard work.

verb to strengthen or support something, often by adding more material or substance

• It is important to reinforce the foundation of the building to ensure its stability.
• I need to reinforce my study habits if I want to pass this exam.
• You should reinforce your squad with some new players for the upcoming game.
• Positive affirmations can reinforce your self-confidence and inner strength.

noun the action or process of reinforcing or strengthening something

adjective serving to reinforce or strengthen

• The use of positive reinforcement is a common strategy in behavior modification.
• Giving rewards for good behavior is a form of reinforcement that parents often use.
• I gotta give myself some reinforcement to get through this tough day.
• His smile was like a reinforcement of my decision to pursue my dreams.

verb to show unwillingness or hesitation

adjective feeling or showing doubt or unwillingness

• The employee was reluctant to sign the new contract without consulting their lawyer.
• I'm kind of reluctant to go to that party, but I'll probably end up going anyway.
• She's so reluctant to try new things, she's totally stuck in her ways.
• The old house stood reluctant to change, its walls holding onto memories of the past.

noun a feeling of unwillingness or hesitation

adjective reluctant (reluctant to do something)

• Despite his reluctance, he eventually agreed to sign the contract.
• She showed reluctance to join the team, but we convinced her in the end.
• I can sense your reluctance to try the new restaurant, but trust me, it's worth it!
• The tree's reluctance to shed its leaves symbolized its resistance to change.

noun a person who remonstrates or protests

adjective expressing strong disapproval or protest

• The teacher's remonstrative tone made it clear that she was not pleased with the students' behavior.
• My mom gave me a remonstrative look when she saw the mess I made in the kitchen.
• The boss's remonstrative comments really got on my nerves.
• The dark clouds in the sky seemed almost remonstrative, as if warning of an impending storm.

noun the recurrence of an action or event

• The teacher emphasized the importance of repetition in learning a new language.
• If you want to get better at playing the piano, you just gotta keep practicing over and over.
• Dude, stop with the repetition, I already heard that story a million times.
• Life is like a never-ending repetition of days, each one blending into the next.

noun the quality of being reserved or reluctant to speak or communicate

adjective reticent (reluctant to speak or communicate)

• Her reticence in sharing her personal life with her colleagues was noticeable.
• He showed reticence when asked about his plans for the weekend.
• She's always been tight-lipped, but her reticence about the party was suspicious.
• The reticence of the old house revealed its mysterious past.

verb to make someone annoyed or irritated

• The controversial topic seemed to rile up the audience during the debate.
• Don't let his comments rile you up, he's just trying to get a reaction.
• His constant teasing really riled me up.
• The unexpected turn of events seemed to rile the calm waters of their relationship.

noun a quality or trait of being impolite or disrespectful

• The customer complained about the rudeness of the salesperson.
• I can't believe the rudeness of that guy!
• Her rudeness was off the charts.
• The rudeness in her tone cut through the room like a knife.

noun act of presenting or displaying something

verb action of presenting or displaying something

adjective describing something that is revealing or indicating

• The data analysis report is showing a significant increase in sales for the third quarter.
• The graph is showing a clear upward trend in profits.
• The movie we watched last night was showing some crazy special effects.
• Her actions are showing her true character.

noun a lazy or drooping posture or movement

verb to stand, move, or sit in a lazy, drooping way

• It is important to maintain good posture and avoid slouching while sitting at your desk.
• Hey, stop slouching in your chair and sit up straight!
• Why do you always slouch like that? It makes you look lazy.
• She always seems to slouch under pressure, but somehow manages to come through in the end.

adjective showing or characterized by a weak, whining attitude or behavior

• The sniveling child could not stop crying during the funeral.
• Stop sniveling and act like a grown-up.
• Why are you sniveling like a little baby?
• Her sniveling attitude towards criticism is getting on my nerves.

noun a behavior or way of acting that is considered polite and proper in social situations

• She displayed impeccable social grace at the charity gala, effortlessly mingling with guests and making everyone feel welcome.
• Even though he's a bit shy, he always manages to maintain his social grace during social gatherings.
• She's got mad social grace skills - she can charm anyone she meets!
• In the world of business, having social grace can be just as important as having technical skills.

noun a sudden shock or surprise

verb to cause someone to feel sudden shock or surprise

• The sudden loud noise caused the audience to startle.
• I didn't mean to startle you when I walked in.
• The horror movie really startled me, I jumped out of my skin!
• The unexpected news of her promotion startled everyone in the office.

adjective having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; impassive

• The stolid expression on his face gave nothing away.
• She remained stolid throughout the entire meeting, not showing any emotion.
• He's always so stolid, never getting excited about anything.
• Her stolid demeanor was like a fortress, guarding her true feelings.

noun the action of making something stronger or more resilient

verb the act of making something stronger or more powerful

• The government is implementing policies aimed at strengthening the economy.
• We need to work on strengthening our friendship.
• Let's focus on beefing up our team's skills.
• Reading helps in strengthening the mind, just like exercise strengthens the body.

noun a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone

verb to provoke or challenge someone with insulting remarks

• The bully continued to taunt the smaller kids on the playground.
• Stop trying to taunt me with your jokes, I'm not in the mood.
• He's always taunting me about my haircut, it's so annoying.
• The dark clouds seemed to taunt the town, threatening to unleash a storm at any moment.

adjective not flattering or attractive; inappropriate or unsuitable for a particular role or position

• Her behavior at the gala was deemed unbecoming of a professional in her position.
• His outfit for the interview was unbecoming and did not make a good impression.
• The way she spoke to her boss was totally unbecoming, she needs to chill out.
• The graffiti on the historic building was unbecoming of the city's reputation for art and culture.

adjective difficult or impossible to manage or control

• The project became unmanageable due to the lack of clear direction.
• Her schedule is so unmanageable, she never has time for herself.
• I can't deal with this unmanageable mess anymore!
• The flood of emotions was unmanageable, overwhelming her completely.

adjective describing someone who is not inclined to associate with others; not sociable

• She was often described as unsociable by her colleagues due to her reserved nature.
• My cat can be quite unsociable with strangers, but she's very affectionate with me.
• I don't know why he's being so unsociable lately, maybe he's just in a bad mood.
• The old abandoned house stood unsociable on the edge of town, untouched by time.

noun a facial expression showing a lack of interest or understanding

• She greeted me with a blank stare, giving away no hint of her emotions.
• When I asked him about the project, he just gave me a blank stare.
• I told her the joke but all I got in return was a blank stare.
• The painting of the landscape seemed to be staring back at me with a blank stare.

noun a blend of the words 'man' and 'tantrum', used to describe an adult behaving in a childish or tantrum-like manner

• The CEO threw a mantrum when he found out about the decrease in quarterly profits.
• My dad always has a mantrum when his favorite sports team loses a game.
• Stop having a mantrum and just deal with it.
• Her mantrum was like a storm, loud and intense but quickly passing.

noun a medical condition characterized by a lack of willpower or an inability to make decisions

• Aboulia is a medical condition characterized by a lack of will or initiative.
• She's been feeling a bit of aboulia lately, struggling to find motivation for anything.
• I can't deal with his aboulia right now, he needs to get his act together.
• The team's aboulia on the field cost them the game, as they lacked the drive to push forward.

adjective describing someone who complains or grumbles a lot

• Her constant moany attitude towards work is starting to affect the team's morale.
• Stop being so moany all the time, it's getting annoying.
• She's always so moany about everything, it's like she can never be happy.
• The old house had a moany sound to it, as if it was complaining about its age.

noun an excessive or exaggerated response to a situation or stimulus

• The company's decision to terminate the employee seemed like an overreaction to the minor mistake.
• Calm down, you're overreacting to the situation.
• Don't freak out, it's just a little overreaction.
• Her emotional outburst was like an overreaction to a small spark.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• It is said that the property is not well-maintained, as the owner seems to have roos in the top paddock.
• I think he might have roos in the upper paddock if he believes that story.
• She must have roos in the top paddock if she thinks that plan will work.
• Having roos in the upper paddock means being a bit crazy or out of touch with reality.

adverb in a way that is difficult to control or predict; erratically

• The waywardly behavior of the students was concerning to the school administration.
• She waywardly wandered around the park without any specific destination in mind.
• He waywardly ditched his responsibilities and went out partying instead.
• The waywardly path of the river meandered through the valley, creating a picturesque scene.

verb to boast or brag excessively or loudly

• She refused to outbrag her competitors in the business world, preferring to let her work speak for itself.
• He always tries to outbrag his friends when it comes to his accomplishments.
• I bet he's just trying to outbrag us to impress the girls.
• Sometimes it's better to outbrag your fears and take on new challenges.

noun a person who walks or performs other activities while asleep; a sleepwalker

• The noctambulist was observed walking in his sleep during the night.
• I heard that John is a noctambulist and walks around at night while sleeping.
• I can't believe she's a noctambulist, that's so weird!
• The artist was a noctambulist, wandering through the realm of creativity while everyone else slept.

verb to behave in a disruptive or unruly manner

• The computer system acted up during the presentation, causing a delay.
• My car always seems to act up when I'm in a hurry.
• His phone acted up and he missed the important call.
• The storm acted up, causing chaos and destruction in its path.

verb A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state of being. In this case, 'acts up' is a verb phrase indicating misbehavior or malfunctioning.

• The machine acts up whenever there is a power fluctuation.
• My computer always acts up when I'm in a hurry.
• My car acts up every time I try to show it off.
• His temper acts up whenever he is stressed out.