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 Researchers recently discovered that traffic noise may be causing male Galápagos yellow warblers to behave more aggressively when defending their territories. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025 Every passenger behaves predictably, regardless of age, nationality, and other classic marketing variables. Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 How to teach your child to behave, play well with others and overcome pandemic awkwardness What causes late teething for babies? Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 Website Exposes Tesla Owners' Personal Data Tesla Resale Prices Are Plummeting On both occasions, the incidents do not seem to be planned out; both men appear to behave casually and reactively upon seeing the cars. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behave
Verb
  • The charges carry a possible 5-year prison sentence.
    Rosemary Westwood, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Simpson, 90, isn’t worthy of carrying their luggage — not theirs, not anyone else’s on the list.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Once the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, he was acquitted after a DNA test showed that the bloodstained clothing which was used to convict him was planted long after the murders, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
    Chris Lau and Yumi Asada, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
  • In 2022, he was acquitted of his charges after a jury trial in 2022, and the charges against his wife were dismissed.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The interview was conducted in a mixture of English and Low German, a dialect widely spoken within the Christian Mennonite community.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • These characters are then authorized to conduct what would otherwise be prohibited activities.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
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
Verb
  • At Refuge of Grace, Groves said, discipline for breaking a rule included excessive workouts, restraining, standing against a wall for hours on end and bans on talking.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Despite the urgency of the measles crisis, the official response from medical groups has been typically restrained.
    Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from editors, dermatologists, and aestheticians.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2025
  • For the most part, the show is composed of zany humor bleeding into comic songs with witty internal rhymes (the songs of Tim Minchin are a helpful comparative).
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The palette contains highly pigmented, blendable and long-lasting eyeshadows in assorted natural colors.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Both medications contain benzocaine, while Orajel contains other active ingredients, including menthol and zinc chloride.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behave. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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