MISBEHAVE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

misbehave

verb

ˌmis-bi-ˈhāv

Definition of misbehave

as in to disobey

to behave badly scolded the children for misbehaving and sent them to bed early

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of misbehave People went to Sean’s house to misbehave and get away with it. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 Much is made of our heroes’ fear of the Manor, an on-site memory-care facility to which misbehaving residents are sometimes sent. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026 Husbands should have dominion over misbehaving wives’ weight, spending habits, and choice of television programs. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026 Uber, in a court filing seeking to have Grimes thrown off the case, said the San Francisco attorney had also misbehaved earlier. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for misbehave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misbehave

Verb

In an earlier document, the plaintiff claims he was subjected to a hostile work environment after reporting the allegations of misconduct, which saw colleagues disobey direct orders and verbally abuse him.

— Tom Sanders, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026
An Estonian newspaper recently revealed that a British soldier disobeyed a direct order to remove the SIM card from his cellphone before being deployed to a part of Estonia, approximately 90 miles west of the Russian border.

— Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of disobey

Verb

The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, pointing to misconduct by investigators.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness.

— Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026

Definition of misconduct

Verb

Collin, 22 While the show was filming, Collin often rebelled against the production by acting detached rather than performing for the cameras.

— Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
While some prisoners tolerated the guards’ abuses, others rebelled, including Clay Ramsay, who Newsweek reports went on a hunger strike.

— Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rebel

Browse Nearby Words

misbegotten

misbehave

misbehaved

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“Misbehave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misbehave. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of misbehave

verb

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