Definition

1. Verb:
   • To behave badly or improperly: To act in a way that is not acceptable, often breaking rules or social norms. This typically refers to children but can apply to anyone.
   • To conduct oneself in an inappropriate manner: To fail to behave correctly or as expected in a given situation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The teacher warned the students not to misbehave during the assembly.
  • If you misbehave at the restaurant, we will have to leave immediately.
  • Some dogs misbehave when their owners are not at home.

Advanced Usage

• "to misbehave oneself": A reflexive form, though less common in modern English, emphasizing personal conduct.

  • He was embarrassed after misbehaving himself at the formal dinner.

• Used in formal or technical contexts: Can describe systems or components not functioning as intended.

  • The software began to misbehave after the latest update.

Variants and Related Words

• Misbehavior (noun): Bad or improper behavior; misconduct.

  • The child's constant misbehavior led to a meeting with the principal.

• Misbehaved (adjective): Having behaved badly.

  • The misbehaved student was given detention.

Synonyms

• Act up: To behave badly or dysfunctionally (informal).
• Be naughty: To behave disobediently or mischievously (often for children).
• Behave improperly: A more formal synonym.

Antonyms

• Behave: To act in a proper or acceptable way.
• Behave oneself: To conduct oneself properly.

Related Phrases

• To be on one's best behavior: To make a special effort to behave well.
  • The children promised to be on their best behavior for their grandparents' visit.

Verb

1. behave badly
   • The children misbehaved all morning