behave

verb

be·​have bi-ˈhāv 

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

Synonyms of behave

• carry
• acquit
• conduct
• handle
• restrain
• compose
• contain

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

Aquarium staff were confident the escape was entirely Inky’s own doing, pointing to the tight security at the facility and their understanding of how octopuses behave. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026

If Bluey uses a wand of asparagus to transform her father into a walrus, her father will behave exactly like a walrus until released from the spell. —Jean Garnett, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026

West Coast Falconry said the birds are imprinted on people and may behave differently from wild birds. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

For the most part, service animals travel free and are expected to behave and be trained. —Jessie Quinn, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for behave

• agave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave
• architrave

Kids Definition

behave

verb

be·​have bi-ˈhāv 

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 

behaved; behaving

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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