BEHAVE Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

behave

verb

bi-ˈhāv

Definition of behave next

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

Examples 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 makes Cosmic Dawn an ideal 'laboratory' to test how dark matter behaves and to potentially learn more about its properties. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2025 What if an attacker manipulates or poisons the data, making AI systems behave unpredictably? —

Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Robert highlights the fact that there are five generations currently sharing the workplace, meaning there are five ways of communicating, thinking, leading, behaving, and operating, as well as five different sets of values. —

Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2025 If Brisbane’s weather had behaved, that would be almost certainly six out of seven. —

Tim Ellis, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for behave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for behave

Verb

But ahead of SpaceX is a Federal Aviation Administration investigation to determine what went wrong during the test, the seventh overall launch for a vehicle meant to one day carry humans to the moon and Mars.

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Mixon has proven himself as a reliable workhorse in his first season as a Texan, totaling 245 carries, 1,016 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025