misbehave

Word parts

mis- + behave

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /mɪsbɪˈheɪv/ or /mɪsbəˈheɪv/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: mis‧be‧have

Verb

Plain form misbehave

Third-person singular misbehaves

Past tense misbehaved

Past participle misbehaved

Present participle misbehaving

1. (transitive) If somebody misbehaves, they behave in an inappropriate or incorrect way.
   • Antonym: behave

   The child was misbehaving by throwing his toys around the room.

Related words

• misbehavior