misbehave

[mis-bi-heyv]

verb (used without object)

misbehaved, misbehaving 

1. to behave badly or improperly.

   The children misbehaved during our visit.

verb (used with object)

misbehaved, misbehaving 

1. to conduct (oneself ) without regard for good manners or accepted moral standards.

   Several of the guests misbehaved themselves.

misbehave

/ ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪvjə, ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv /

verb

1. to behave (oneself) badly

Other Word Forms

• misbehaver noun
• misbehaviour noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misbehave¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; mis- ¹, behave

Example Sentences

Local resentment is rising, with social media vigilantes putting misbehaving tourists on blast - even as the Balinese maintain their world-famous hospitality.

Read more on BBC

Prodigy City is located in what was formerly Thailand, where the series was filmed, giving every character, human and otherwise, plenty of space to hide and misbehave.

Read more on Salon

The police have also opened a hotline for people to report "misbehaving monks".

Read more on BBC

He said if Ethan was misbehaving "she would start shouting and screaming" at him.

Read more on BBC

And for those who misbehave/ There’s no chance to explain/ I throw them into the grave.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• act up 
• fool around 
• trespass