behave

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 Smaller businesses often lack the resources to conduct deep market research, leading to incorrect assumptions—like assuming customers in a new region will behave the same as those in their existing market. Vinod Sivagnanam, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Its ghostly inhabitants are never identified in a denominational kind of way but behave like the demons in The Exorcist and other Catholic possession films. Katie Rife, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025 Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie Laurie may be right that Jaclyn is behaving terribly—what married woman sleeps with a guy she’s been trying to set up with her friend all week?—but her bitterness is really bumming out her best frenemies. Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025 The night’s youngest speaker, freshman Sophia Miyamoto, borrowed from her perspective as a youth tennis player with her Ted Talk about how parents at sporting events need to behave better. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behave
Verb
  • For all their strong-arm tactics, these two carry themselves as formidable businessmen.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The New York Helicopters chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, two adults and three children, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan in New York City on Thursday afternoon, officials said during a press briefing.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
  • Tapping marketing agencies and consultants to conduct audits can help bring a fresh perspective and objectivity to the campaigns, helping to eliminate internal biases.
    Andrea Aker, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The bombers are based at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri and typically conduct long-range strikes from there.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
  • Hansi Flick was seen restraining the Brazilian, who headed down the tunnel clearly enraged.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • The presentation was brought to life at the start by a full orchestra performing a live rendition of the franchise’s familiar theme music, originally composed by John Williams.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Retired educators: The Retired Educators of Osceola County is composed of people who are retired from the field of education from anywhere in the country.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This post contains spoilers for the 1923 series finale. 1923 was life-changing in more ways than one for Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The guests-only 14th floor contains the outdoor pool—stretched along the building’s edge with bang-on skyline views—and the Living Room, a clubhouse where Capella hosts events like an Evening Ritual hour with complimentary cocktails and canapés.
    Travis Levius, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behave. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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