behave

verb

bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio)
Definition of behavenext
as in to carry
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way if the children behave themselves properly and sit quietly during church, they'll get their ice cream afterward

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb behave differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of behave are acquit, comport, conduct, and deport. While all these words mean "to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way," behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous.

the children behaved in church

When can acquit be used instead of behave?

The words acquit and behave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

When might comport be a better fit than behave?

The synonyms comport and behave are sometimes interchangeable, but comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

When is conduct a more appropriate choice than behave?

The words conduct and behave can be used in similar contexts, but conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself.

conducted herself with unfailing good humor

When would deport be a good substitute for behave?

In some situations, the words deport and behave are roughly equivalent. However, deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety.

the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of behave Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that can affect how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. —Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025 Mixing creeping dread with the tough realization that they might be stuck driving forever, the actors behave like actual disillusioned youth, striving to hold onto their humanity as the odometer ticks away endlessly. —William Earl, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025 Without this step, software may behave unpredictably, delivering incomplete functions or introducing unintended actions. —John Ellis, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 There are so many reasons someone might behave this way, like heavy childhood trauma. —Tanyel Mustafa, Refinery29, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behave
  1. carry
  2. acquit
  3. conduct
  4. handle
  5. restrain
  6. compose
  7. contain
Verb
  • There were so many physical scenes and heavy emotions carried throughout.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The charges carry a combined sentence of 24 to 62 years in prison, Drummond said, and up to $260,000 in fines.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Cynthia was convicted at trial of child neglect but acquitted of murder, the Washington Post reported; Dominique pleaded guilty in November to child neglect charges.
    — Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Italy's highest court acquitted the now-37-year-old of murder in 2015.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of acquit
Verb
  • In 2024, a survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners conducted by Clever Real Estate found that 94 percent of respondents had taken on a major renovation project in the past five years.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll, 70% of employers believe every company should screen job candidates’ social media profiles during the hiring process.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • The environmental health center had also handled a variety of other issues like cruise ship outbreak investigations, which are now reeling from significant layoffs.
    — Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The bulbs are durable and waterproof, able to handle extreme heat and cold.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of handle
Verb
  • The state’s strongest piece of evidence against Pratt was his DNA found on a roll of duct tape that was used to restrain the victims.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Hansi Flick was seen restraining the Brazilian, who headed down the tunnel clearly enraged.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • At the microscopic level, fluids are composed of particles—little billiard balls bopping around and occasionally colliding—and Newton’s laws of motion work well to describe their trajectories.
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
  • New Shepard is composed of both a rocket and a crew capsule, which is outfitted with large windows for its passengers to gaze out of during the roughly 11-minute spaceflight.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of compose
Verb
  • The Keystone oil pipeline was shut down Tuesday morning following a rupture in North Dakota, with the resulting spill contained to an agricultural field near Fort Ransom.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The underlying challenge the editorial was hinting at was how any reform can be accomplished through governance mechanisms to contain growth which also respects some measure of individual choice for consumption.
    — Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of contain

Browse Nearby Words

begun
behave
behaved
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Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behave. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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