misbehave

Misbehave is a verb that means to act in a manner that is improper, inappropriate, or contrary to rules, norms, or expectations. It is formed from the prefix mis- (wrongly) and the verb behave. The term is commonly used to describe actions by a person, especially a child or student, that violate codes of conduct in social or institutional settings. The noun form is misbehavior in American English and misbehaviour in British English; the adjective form is misbehaving.

Usage and grammar notes: misbehave is typically used intransitively, as in “The students misbehave in class,” with past tense “misbehaved.” It can be followed by in + noun to specify the setting, e.g., “misbehave in school” or “misbehave in public.” The phrase “to misbehave oneself” is uncommon but may be found in some stylistic contexts. Common related terms include behavior, misbehavior, and misconduct. Persistent or severe patterns of behavior that violate legal or safety norms may be described with terms such as conduct problems, antisocial behavior, or delinquency, depending on the context and severity.

Context and responses: Misbehavior is discussed in educational, workplace, and public safety settings. Policy approaches typically emphasize clear rules, warnings, and appropriate disciplinary or supportive interventions. In psychology and pedagogy, misbehavior can be analyzed in relation to developmental stage, environmental factors, and social influences, though it is not a clinical diagnosis in itself.

See also: misbehavior, misbehaviour, misconduct, conduct disorder, behavior management.