Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

behave

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of behave

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 of behave

acquit, bear, carry, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit
Words Related to behave

check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, quiet, repress, restrain

moderate, modulate, temper

act, impersonate, play
Near Antonyms of behave

act up, carry on, cut up, misbehave, misconduct

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about behave

  1. See words that rhyme with behave Dictionary: Definition of behave Medical Dictionary: Definition of behave Spanish Central: Translation of behave Nglish: Translation of behave for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of behave for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up behave? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

habiliment

characteristic trappings or dress

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. Spartan Red Cross Warns of Shelter Conditions

  2. hirsute RIP Burt Reynolds

  3. op-ed NYT Publishes Anonymous Piece

  4. collegiality Kavanaugh Mentions Word in Hearing

  5. mistrial Manafort Guilty on 8 Counts

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games