misbehavior

noun

mis·​be·​hav·​ior ˌmis-bi-ˈhā-vyər 

-bē-

plural misbehaviors

1

: bad, improper, or rude behavior : ill conduct

scolded the children for their misbehavior

2

US military law : any conduct by a member of the armed forces before or in the presence of the enemy that does not conform to military standards or practice for such a situation

… is charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, the latter of which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

—The Boston Herald

Synonyms

• malfeasance
• misconduct
• misdoing
• wrongdoing

Examples of misbehavior in a Sentence

would not tolerate any misbehavior from her students

Recent Examples on the Web

The history of disappointment and disillusionment behind such misbehavior cannot be disguised by the phony bonhomie of DIE solidarity. —Armond White, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025

As the channel grew past two million subscribers, the parents came under more scrutiny for sharing intimate details about their children’s lives and their strict, some would say severe, punishments for misbehavior. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2025

Travel misbehaviors Americans confess to Here is what American travelers admired to when at the airport and on the plane. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Dec. 2024

Throughout her career, she was known for never mincing words, calling out men for misbehavior and backwards attitudes in her music. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for misbehavior

• misbehaviour
• behavior
• behaviour
• havior
• savior
• saviour