misbehave

C2 Topic:Ethics & Social Judgment

US /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪv/ UK /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #25771

Meanings

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

behave obey

Word family

Forms misbehaved

Derived forms misbehavior

Related forms behave misconduct disobey

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

Ethics & Social Judgment

External links

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