misbehaving
Breaking the rules
Misbehaving is behaving badly or improperly—breaking rules, acting out, or failing to meet expectations of conduct.
Children misbehave when they disobey parents or teachers: The kids were misbehaving all afternoon.
Adults misbehave too, often with a playful or euphemistic sense: We misbehaved at the office party.
Not fully developed
- tantrumsOutbursts of childish anger
- whiningProlonged nasal complaining
- poutingShowing petulant displeasure
- sulkingSilent, resentful withdrawal
petulant · fussy · peevish · spoiled · bratty · acting out · attention-seeking · unruly
Playfully causing trouble
- impishPlayfully mischievous in manner
- roguishMischievously charming
- prankishFond of tricks
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
playful · devilish · puckish · rascally · saucy · naughty · sly · scheming
Tending to interrupt order
- rowdyNoisily disorderly
- unrulyDifficult to control
- disorderlyNot arranged neatly
- stirring upCausing to activate
causing trouble · instigating · provoking · agitating · pranks · mischief · shenanigans · tomfoolery
Openly resisting control
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
- acting outExpressing distress behaviorally
rule-breaking · insubordinate · wayward · wild · out of control · going astray · revolt · resistance
Refusing to follow orders
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- uncooperativeUnwilling to assist others
- noncompliantFailing to conform
resistant · obstinate · willful · stubborn · recalcitrant · contrary · headstrong · oppositional
immature
Not fully developed
- tantrumsOutbursts of childish anger
- whiningProlonged nasal complaining
- poutingShowing petulant displeasure
sulking · petulant · fussy · peevish · spoiled · bratty · acting out · attention-seeking · unruly · disobedient
mischievous
Playfully causing trouble
cheeky · playful · devilish · puckish · rascally · saucy · naughty · sly · scheming · troublesome
disruptive
Tending to interrupt order
- rowdyNoisily disorderly
- unrulyDifficult to control
- disorderlyNot arranged neatly
causing trouble · stirring up · instigating · provoking · agitating · pranks · mischief · shenanigans · tomfoolery · hooliganism
defiant
Openly resisting control
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- unrulyDifficult to control
acting out · rule-breaking · insubordinate · wayward · wild · out of control · going astray · revolt · resistance · protest
disobedient
Refusing to follow orders
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- uncooperativeUnwilling to assist others
noncompliant · resistant · obstinate · willful · stubborn · recalcitrant · contrary · headstrong · oppositional · unruly