SINCE 1828
misbehave
verb
mis·be·have
| \ ˌmis-bi-ˈhāv
, -bē-\
, -bē-\
misbehaved;
misbehaving
Definition of misbehave
1a
transitive
: to conduct (oneself) badly or improperly
students who frequently misbehave themselves in class
b
intransitive
: to behave with poor manners or a lack of courtesy
He worried about the decline of family discipline, about the fact that local youth went out walking after dark, wasted time in levity, misbehaved in church.— Tracy Kidder
c
intransitive
: to behave with disregard for accepted moral standards especially in sexual matters
known for misbehaving with numerous women
d
intransitive
of a member of the armed forces
: to behave before or in the presence of the enemy in a way that does not conform to military standards or practice
… has been charged with desertion and misbehaving before the enemy …— Dan Lamothe
2
intransitive
: to behave in an unexpected or unwelcome way
After five floods in four years, people in Liberty County are used to seeing the Trinity River misbehave.— Adam Nossiter
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for misbehave
misbehave
verb
English Language Learners Definition of misbehave
: to behave badly
See the full definition for misbehave in the English Language Learners Dictionary
misbehave
verb
mis·be·have
| \ ˌmis-bi-ˈhāv\
misbehaved;
misbehaving
Kids Definition of misbehave
: to behave badly
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on misbehave
What made you want to look up misbehave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Farm Idioms Quiz
-
- What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Farm Idioms Quiz
Not your children's farm quiz.
Take the quiz -
Up in the Sky: A Quiz
It's a bird? It's a plane? No, I'm really asking. What is it?
Take the quiz -
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share misbehave
Resources for misbehave