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

Relevance

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 The nearly 10-minute video shared with Newsweek includes three takes of a slow-dancing scene for a montage where Lively alleged Baldoni was behaving inappropriately. Erin Keller, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 How Trump behaved as commander in chief during his first administration may offer a guide for the next four years. Ian Pannell, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025 That is because, for years, Lammy behaved like just another upwardly mobile Blairite politician. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Those who turned inward eventually implode and behave in unthinkable ways. Tamara Conniff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for behave 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behave
Verb
  • Without Flowers last week, the Ravens leaned heavily on Henry (26 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns) and five pass catchers had multiple receptions.
    Mike Jones, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • One gritty season-ending win over a depleted Packers team carries only so much weight.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Without hard evidence, the jury had enough reasonable doubt to acquit Avery.
    Melissa Gray, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The two were acquitted, then reconvicted before being definitively acquitted in 2015.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At its peak, Silk Road functioned as a global drug bazaar, with transactions conducted largely in bitcoin.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025
  • While not much polling has been conducted in the race yet, the early surveys show Adams has a significant deficit to make up for.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Its departments handle border security, immigration detention, citizenship processing, airport security, and natural disasters, among other things.
    Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The Lobos’ home arena, aptly named The Pit, is considered one of the tougher arenas to visit in the Mountain West — last week, New Mexico easily handled San Diego State 62-48.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Personnel restrained Owens and the flight departing from that gate was delayed, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2025
  • When Collins swatted Acevedo’s hand away, he was restrained and punched repeatedly by Zapata for about nine seconds until other officers intervened, urging their supervisor to back down.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Addison, the church’s director of music and liturgy, composed the roughly 40-minute piece.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Freeman was among international talents celebrated with lifetime achievement prizes during the Joy Awards on Saturday along with composing legend Hans Zimmer, and Andrea Bocelli.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Eaton Fire in the Altadena area was 95% contained at 14,021 acres.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Which team’s pass rush bothers or contains the other QB more effectively might tip this result.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near behave

Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behave. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on behave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!