misbehave

verb

mis·be·have | \ ˌmis-bi-ˈhāv ,

-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