verb

misbehave

mis-bih-HAYV/ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪv/

To behave badly or break rules of conduct.

The children sometimes misbehave when they get tired or bored.

Child scribbles with crayon on a wall beside clean paper while caregiver calmly indicates paper instead; rule-breaking behavior without humiliating expression.

Etymology

misOld Englishbadly, wrongly

+beEnglishadds emphasis

+haveEnglishto bear oneself

In one analysis, behave uses have in the sense 'bear oneself,' strengthened by be-. Mis- makes this a way of carrying oneself that is improper or breaks expected rules.

In context

Sarah Ockwell-Smith14:36

they've made a bad decision to misbehave they've made a bad decision to be disrespectful

Understanding the Tween Brain (aka: why 8-13yr olds behave the way they do!)

More examples

Please don't misbehave during the field trip.
He apologized for misbehaving at the dinner table.
Anyone who misbehaves at the meeting may be asked to leave.

Forms

misbehave · misbehaves · misbehaved · misbehaving

misbehavior noun — Behavior that breaks rules or expectations.

Similar words

disobey: Means failing to follow instructions, rather than behaving badly generally.
act up: Usually describes disruptive behavior, especially by children or groups.