US /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪv/ UK /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪv/
verb Freq #25771

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    to behave badly, improperly, or contrary to rules or expectations

    The children knew they would lose the privilege if they misbehaved again.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to behave badly,... act upmisconduct oneselfbehave badly
Opposites
Word family
Forms misbehaved
Derived forms misbehavior
Related forms behavemisconductdisobey

Etymology

From Middle English misbehaven, formed from mis- ("badly, wrongly") + behave. The prefix changes neutral conduct into conduct judged improper or contrary to expectations.

Topics

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