behave

verb

be·have bi-ˈhāv

bē-

behaved; behaving

Synonyms of behave next

transitive verb

: to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way

: to conduct (oneself) in a proper manner

getting children to behave themselves

intransitive verb

: to act, function, or react in a particular way

He behaves like a child.

testing how various metals behave under heat and pressure

: to conduct oneself properly

Please behave.

behaver noun

Choose the Right Synonym for behave

behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit 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

conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself.

conducted herself with unfailing good humor

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

comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

Examples of behave in a Sentence

If you can't behave in the store we'll have to leave. If you can't behave yourself in the store we'll have to leave. I wish those children would behave themselves. He behaves like a child! The experiment tested how various metals behave under heat and pressure.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Go down 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), and the hot, dense gas begins to behave strangely. —

Benjamin Roulston, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024 And, as today’s email reminds us, there’s no reason to expect Trump to behave any differently if elected to a second term. —

Zach Everson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Late in Season 2, Kate Wyler starts to behave like her husband. —

Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024 The defense also used Tejada's testimony to suggest to the jury Penny did not behave like a criminal by fleeing the scene. —

Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for behave

Word History

Etymology

Middle English behaven, from be- be- + haven "to have entry 1, hold"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of behave was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behave. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

behave

verb

be·have bi-ˈhāv

behaved; behaving

: to conduct oneself

behaved badly at the meeting

: to conduct oneself properly

please behave

: to act, function, or react in a particular way

how metals behave under heat and pressure

Medical Definition

behave

verb

be·have bi-ˈhāv

behaved; behaving

transitive verb

: to bear or conduct (oneself) in a particular way

intransitive verb

: to act, function, or react in a particular way

Last Updated: 23 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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behave

verb

Synonyms

Examples of behave in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near behave

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition