be (to)

verb

Definition of be (to)next
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way you need to be nice to your brother

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for be (to)
  1. treat
  2. serve
  3. handle
  4. use
Verb
  • Currently, most conservation frameworks, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), treat all giraffes as one species with nine subspecies, so these latest findings suggest this classification scheme should be revised.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • As plans for January premières, luncheons, and awards shows were upended, we were treated to an almost moralistic spectacle of Tinseltown frivolities colliding with the elemental dictates of Mother Nature.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2025
Definition of treat
Verb
  • The National Guard will serve in a support role and will assist in crowd management, traffic control and emergency response services.
    Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Through Grauer School community service projects, the students develop personal passions for important causes while building leadership skills that will serve them and their community neighbors.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Definition of serve
Verb
  • Once again, Gavin Newsom may have to campaign on his way to defeating the effort easily, instead of being 100 percent focused on rebuilding the Los Angeles area and continuing to handle the fifth largest economy on the planet.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Its departments handle border security, immigration detention, citizenship processing, airport security, and natural disasters, among other things.
    Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Definition of handle
Verb
  • Republicans are in a heated internal conversation on whether to use one — or two — legislative vehicles to implement Trump's immigration and tax reform policies.
    Marc Caputo, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers roster is nearing completion for the 2025 season, but center field could use an upgrade.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of use
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near be (to)

bêtises

be (to)

betoken

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Be (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/be%20%28to%29. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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