misbehavior

[mis-bi-heyv-yer]

See more synonyms for misbehavior on Thesaurus.com

noun

improper, inappropriate, or bad behavior.

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Also especially British, mis·be·hav·iour.

Origin of misbehavior

First recorded in 1480–90; mis-¹ + behavior

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

impropriety immorality insubordination transgression misdeed wrongdoing misconduct mischief naughtiness shenanigans fault misdemeanor incivility rudeness indiscipline

Examples from the Web for misbehavior

Contemporary Examples

His rivals in Washington looked for the slightest indication of his famed ego or misbehavior.
Richard Holbrooke's Last Mission in Afghanistan by David Rohde
David Rohde
November 26, 2011
It was designed to create a domestic remedy for misbehavior by U.S. corporations abroad.
U.S. Could Prosecute Murdoch
Michael Tomasky
July 19, 2011
Why the U.S. should fund Pakistan's misbehavior is a question tougher than ever to answer.
America’s Menacing Pakistan Problem
Bruce Riedel
May 21, 2011

Historical Examples

After what she had said about his misbehavior, the reader will guess what made me say this.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
To create a forfeiture, his misbehavior must be gross and aggravated.
The Seaman's Friend
Richard Henry Dana
The misbehavior of Germany is no excuse for rebuking the liberty of France.
Our Part in the Great War
Arthur Gleason
To be honest, I had hardly thought about my misbehavior since then.
Brenda's Ward
Helen Leah Reed
Katharine, moreover, was unable to decide what she thought of Cyril's misbehavior.
Night and Day
Virginia Woolf

Word Origin and History for misbehavior

n.

also misbehaviour, late 15c., from mis- (1) + behavior.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper