behest

noun

be·hest bi-ˈhest

bē-

Synonyms of behest

: an authoritative order : command

The meeting was called at the senator's behest.

: an urgent prompting

At the behest of her friends, she read the poem aloud.

Did you know?

Behest is an ancient word: it is almost a thousand years old. It was formed from the prefix be- and the verb hātan ("to command" or "to promise"), and its Old English ancestor was used exclusively in the sense of "promise," a now-obsolete meaning that continued on in Middle English especially in the phrase "the land of behest." The "command" meaning of behest is also ancient but it's still in good use, typically referring to an authoritative order. Behest is now also used with a less weighty meaning; it can refer to an urgent prompting, as in "a repeat performance at the behest of the troupe's fans."

Examples of behest in a Sentence

I only made the change at the author's behest.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

For a circuit drawn up, NFL-style, by television executives with gold coins in their eyes at the behest of university presidents who see an enrollment cliff, and fewer enrollment dollars, looming. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2025 At Gottlieb's behest, the CIA conducted experiments on and administered mind-altering substances, including barbiturates and LSD, to often unsuspecting individuals without their consent or knowledge. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025 At one meeting in February, a mother who refused to sit quietly was escorted out by security guards at the behest of board president Charles Randklev, with her toddler in tow. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025 Ben Jaffe, the owner of Pres Hall, had arranged it, without announcing it, at the behest of Swift’s team. —Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behest

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, promise, command, from Old English behǣs promise, from behātan to promise, from be- + hātan to command, promise — more at hight

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of behest was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century