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 For analysts at Vanguard, the investment firm, the roller-coaster ride provided a timely opportunity to study how investors behave when the going gets tough. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025 When people have uncertainty around the performance of a business or the long-term performance or how customers are going to behave, that’s when investors get more nervous about parting with their money. Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Apr. 2025 When traffic behaves itself, Woodbridge is a 30-minute drive from the nation’s capital. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2025 Thus, the tech companies and their executives can no longer dictate how users behave. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for behave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behave
Verb
  • How the Moho Is Working The force of that collision could have carried the Moho of the incoming pieces up and over the older landmass, resulting in a doubling of the Moho there, says Paul Karabinos, a geologist at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
    Alexandra Witze, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Emma had on a high-visibility vest over a short puffer jacket and was carrying a cardboard tube.
    Anna Russell, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The 24-year-old was acquitted of capital murder, which would not have given him the option for parole.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Officers Edward Nero and Garrett Miller previously accepted minor administrative discipline, Lt. Brian Rice and Officer Caesar Goodson Jr. were acquitted by police trial boards, and Officer William Porter did not face administrative charges.
    Steve Earley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As Wilshere and his players greeted the Norwich fans, across the Riverside pitch, Michael Carrick and his Middlesbrough squad were conducting a disconsolate lap of appreciation in a largely emptied stadium.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The poll, conducted among 1,678 people, found that 35% approve of his handling of inflation and only 39% approve of his handling of the economy.
    Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • If the highest and broadest tariffs are avoided, U.S. farmers will likely be able to handle the impacts with only modest discomfort.
    Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The writers delivered a masterclass in how to handle the unforeseen death of a central character, then did a superb job navigating not only Dan’s heartbreak, but his conflicted feelings about moving on with Louise.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rosemary restrained herself from scratching at her wig.
    Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Education Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs' Over 100,000 U.S. public school students were secluded or restrained during the 2017-2018 school year, according to federal data.
    Dylan Peers McCoy, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • China’s Politburo, composed of high-level members of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, tends to lay out broad policy directives.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The photo offered a closer look at Meyer's bridal attire: an off-white minidress composed of a sheer top and a satin skirt.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behave. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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