Synonym Chooser

How does the verb comport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comport are acquit, behave, conduct, and deport. While all these words mean "to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way," comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

When might acquit be a better fit than comport?

The meanings of acquit and comport largely overlap; however, acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

When could behave be used to replace comport?

The words behave and comport are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous.

the children behaved in church

When would conduct be a good substitute for comport?

The synonyms conduct and comport are sometimes interchangeable, 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 can deport be used instead of comport?

While the synonyms deport and comport are close in meaning, 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 comport Others are unabashedly earnest in their enthusiasm, comporting the anachronistic typeface of Publishers Marketplace into new-media forms: dancing around it enthusiastically in a TikTok green screen, posting it alongside baby photos of themselves. Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024 But they’re also known for their style, their attitude, their mystique: Didion, with her undersize body, her oversize sunglasses, her Pall Malls and Stingrays and migraines, and Tartt, looking like a female Sebastian Flyte, comporting herself like a southern J.D. Salinger. Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024 There is no indication the 49ers have been disappointed in terms of how their new veterans have comported themselves professionally. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2024 Reid spoke to Browns general manager Andrew Berry about how Hunt comported himself in Cleveland. Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for comport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comport
Verb
  • The equation no longer corresponds to a Turing machine that computes perfect squares—and, more generally, the Diophantine equations can no longer encode the halting problem.
    Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Under Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force has defined a highly effective strategy; corresponding operational concepts and technologies; and a new training regimen to ensure U.S. equities in space are secured.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As a collective, the robots behaved like a material that could change shape and switch between solid and liquid states, just like the T-1000.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The default state of the Switch Axe is Axe Mode, which behaves a bit like a slightly faster Hammer with pretty good damage output and great mobility for a weapon of its size.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This order serves only two purposes: to score partisan political points in a manufactured culture war and to purge the military of those who don’t conform to MAGA ideology.
    Johnny Weixler, The Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Fear of retaliation, social conditioning, and the pressure to conform make speaking up difficult.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Butler carried the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • That’s exactly what Bishop Stang did as the team carried play and eventually earned a power play opportunity.
    Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Liu’s career has, however, neatly coincided with the post-Mao period — one that has seen architecture freed from state control and socialist ideals.
    Oscar Holland, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
  • My trip happened to coincide with a visit by former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg.
    Nicholas Lalla, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Platini, three times European Footballer of the Year, is also confident of being acquitted, said the 69-year-old’s lawyer.
    Reuters, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The film, based on a true story that became a media sensation in the '80s, never renders definitive judgment on von Bülow (who was acquitted in court), leaving him an indelible enigma that Irons teases but never tells.
    EW.com, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tropicana also narrowed the label to fit the more compact bottle.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
  • In fact, carrying an iPad is an expert packing hack to ensure everything fits in your carry-on bag when traveling.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Robert Potential employers conduct reference checks to verify your work history and assess your past performance.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Researchers there were conducting part of a nationwide clinical trial of Leqembi, then known by its generic name, lecanemab.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comport. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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