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 This doesn’t mean behaving like an extrovert constantly, just occasionally. —Olga Khazan, Vox, 11 Mar. 2025 The mom also reminds him to make sure passengers are wearing their seatbelts and behaving themselves. —Angela Andaloro, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 Autism spectrum disorder is defined by neurological and developmental effects for how people communicate, interact with others, learn and behave. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025 As a collective, the robots behaved like a material that could change shape and switch between solid and liquid states, just like the T-1000. —Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 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
  • The crash’s momentum then allegedly carried Habermehl and his bicycle on top and off the vehicle's passenger side.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Over 15,000 vehicles, including heavy buses and tractor-trailers, were lifted and carried by the winds.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Listen to this article After more than 15 hours of deliberations over two days, a Lake County jury acquitted a one-time Munster babysitter Friday evening in a shaken baby case on a battery charge.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
  • While Trump was impeached twice by the House in his first term, the Senate acquitted him both times.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of acquit
Verb
  • Newsom’s office is conducting an assessment to determine whether or not the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they were released.
    — Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Since then, officials have been coordinating with the Dominican Republic Air Force, Navy, Fire Department, and hotel staff to conduct a search via sea, air, and land with the assistance of canine units.
    — Solcyré Burga, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • The policy lays out a process for handling complaints, allows district administrators to implement the policy and directs questions about it to the superintendent.
    — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Just be sure your child is old enough to handle those unexpected carrot pieces—choking hazards will never be funny! 15.
    — Kimberly Stoney, Parents, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of handle
Verb
  • The landscaping is restrained, all clean lines and neat minimalism.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The ayatollah has repeatedly said Iran cannot trust that the United States would honor any bargain, especially after Mr. Trump pulled out of the last agreement to restrain Iran’s program.
    — David E. Sanger, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • The two-tone Schiaparelli gown is composed of a white maxi dress with sculptural halter straps that accentuate its deep V neckline and a dark blue raw denim corset.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Anadol’s ‘Living Architecture’ installation is accompanied by a custom soundscape composed by Anadol’s longtime collaborator, Kerim Karaoglu which integrates sound recordings made in the museum and enhances the sensory immersion of the installation.
    — Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of compose
Verb
  • The report contains data from Feb. 23 through March 8 and 428 inspections.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Some of the fires are continuing, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, which identified the New State fire in Pittsburg County to have burned 200 acres and 90 percent contained.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of contain

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Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behave. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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