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set a bad example

VERB
act up (misbehave)
Synonyms
WEAK
act out be bad be out of line behave badly carry on fool around horseplay make trouble misbehave rebel show off
Antonyms
WEAK
behave

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"When parents feel they've set a bad example, they have a valuable opportunity to turn the situation into a teachable moment."

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

But the book was less popular with some adults, who felt like Pippi set a bad example.

From NewsForKids.net • May 22, 2024

The young woman was heartbroken, concluding that the school didn’t want the public to see her with a protruding belly, as she would set a bad example for other students.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2023

Others, she said, set a bad example for the students looking up to them.

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2023

“I shouldn’t have lost my cool like that. It was unprofessional. Now I’ve set a bad example for you.”

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas