misbehave

American  

[mis-bi-heyv] / ˌmɪs bɪˈheɪv /

verb (used without object)

misbehaved, misbehaving

1. to behave badly or improperly.

   The children misbehaved during our visit.

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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 British  

/ ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪvjə, ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv /

verb

1. to behave (oneself) badly

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Other Word Forms

• misbehaver noun
• misbehaviour noun

Etymology

Origin of misbehave

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

Example Sentences

Punishing a dog for misbehaving when traveling may only result in the dog having negative associations with road trips.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he queried whether authorities would ordinarily have a duty to keep victims and their families informed if an offender "misbehaved in prison".

From BBC

Fairlie had vowed last year to table secondary legislation that would allow Transport Scotland to suspend or withdraw free passes from misbehaving passengers.

From BBC

"It can come across as acting out or misbehaving, but it isn't acting out or misbehaving. It's just literally not feeling safe in their own body."

From BBC

While he said he understood Wetherspoon wanting to crack down on dogs who are misbehaving in its pubs, he added: "Why tarnish all assistance dog users with that brush?"

From BBC

Related Words

• act up
• fool around
• trespass