misbehavior

noun

mis·​be·​hav·​ior ˌmis-bi-ˈhā-vyər 

-bē-

plural misbehaviors

1

: bad, improper, or rude behavior : ill conduct

scolded the children for their misbehavior

2

US military law : any conduct by a member of the armed forces before or in the presence of the enemy that does not conform to military standards or practice for such a situation

… is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, the latter of which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

—The Boston Herald

Synonyms of misbehavior

• misconduct
• wrongdoing

Examples of misbehavior in a Sentence

would not tolerate any misbehavior from her students

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, this misbehavior was further highlighted by an Athletic article a few days ago listing most, but not all, of the offenses. —Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

In testimony Thursday, school officials laid out Colt Gray’s history of school misbehavior and spotty attendance record. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

She was accused of misbehavior that included mismanaging the budget, failing to carry out personnel instructions and ordering a subordinate to spy by Palmer’s legally privileged email correspondence. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026

This is a broad category of misbehaviors, ranging from excessive public displays of affection to actual lovemaking on the plane. —Christopher Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misbehavior

• misbehaviour
• behavior
• behaviour
• havior
• savior
• saviour