behave

verb

be·​have bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio)
bē-
behaved; behaving

transitive verb

1
: to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
2
: to conduct (oneself) in a proper manner
getting children to behave themselves

intransitive verb

1
: to act, function, or react in a particular way
He behaves like a child.
testing how various metals behave under heat and pressure
2
: 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 The driver’s transcript is the most detailed firsthand account so far of how Mr. Trump behaved inside his presidential motorcade that day, traveling the short distance from the White House to the Ellipse. Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Cells grown in a tank function essentially like ground meat, imparting a meaty flavor and mouthfeel to whatever they are added to, behaving more like an ingredient or a seasoning than a food product. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 But how do companies go about updating their AI development to make sure their products and services behave as their creators intend them to? François Candelon, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 This means that Pakistani parties often behave in ways contrary to common-sense electoral imperatives. Sarah Khan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Mar. 2024 Because she's shown she can't be trusted on her own to behave in a civilized manner. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Keep away from wild animals and animals that are behaving strangely. Katia Hetter, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Pregnancy can be an extremely stressful experience, and people who don’t take the time and effort to decode their internal feelings and seek ways to behave well tend to behave poorly, lashing out instead of coping with their own vulnerability. Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 How powerfully, timidly, unpredictably, eagerly, or gently did a fire behave and why? M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near behave

Cite this Entry

“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behave. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

behave

verb
be·​have bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio)
behaved; behaving
1
: to conduct oneself
behaved badly at the meeting
2
: to conduct oneself properly
please behave
3
: to act, function, or react in a particular way
how metals behave under heat and pressure

Medical Definition

behave

verb
be·​have bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio)
behaved; behaving

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

More from Merriam-Webster on behave

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