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Misbehaved: meaning, definitions and examples

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misbehaved

 

[ ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪvd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

improper behavior

Misbehaved refers to the action of behaving inappropriately or poorly, especially in a way that breaks rules or social norms. It often implies a lack of discipline or respect for authority. This term is commonly used in the context of children or animals, but can also apply to adults in unprofessional or social settings. Misbehavior can manifest in various forms including disobedience, rudeness, or acting out in an unexpected manner.

Synonyms

inappropriate behavior, indiscipline, misconduct, naughtiness, wrongdoing

Examples of usage

  • The child misbehaved in class and was asked to leave.
  • The dog misbehaved and chewed up the furniture.
  • She felt embarrassed when her friend misbehaved at the party.

Translations

Translations of the word "misbehaved" in other languages:

🇵🇹 comportou-se mal

🇮🇳 बदतमीज़

🇩🇪 schlecht benommen

🇮🇩 berperilaku buruk

🇺🇦 погано поводився

🇵🇱 źle się zachowywał

🇯🇵 悪い行動をした

🇫🇷 mal se comporter

🇪🇸 se comportó mal

🇹🇷 kötü davrandı

🇰🇷 잘못 행동했다

🇸🇦 تصرف بشكل سيء

🇨🇿 choval se špatně

🇸🇰 zachoval sa zle

🇨🇳 行为不端

🇸🇮 slabo se obnašal

🇮🇸 hefst ekki hagað sér vel

🇰🇿 жаман мінез көрсетті

🇬🇪 ბოროტად მოიქცა

🇦🇿 pis davranmış

🇲🇽 se comportó mal

Etymology

The word 'misbehave' originates from the prefix 'mis-', which means 'wrongly' or 'badly', combined with 'behave', which comes from the Old French 'obeir' meaning 'to behave' or 'to conduct oneself'. The term began to appear in the English language in the 17th century. The use of 'mis-' gives the word a negative connotation, suggesting an action that deviates from expected standards of behavior. Throughout its history, 'misbehave' has been commonly associated with children and their tendency to act in ways that challenge authority or disrupt social order. Over time, the concept of misbehavior has broadened to include various contexts, encompassing both subtle and overt forms of inappropriate actions in multiple settings.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,019 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.