BEHAVES Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

behaves

verb

present tense third-person singular of behave

as in carries

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

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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 behaves This a show about the 1920s that behaves like a sensational stage spectacle from the 1920s, with a cast of dozens and special effects that make everything and everyone look monumental and magnificent. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026 It can’t just be based on my intuition for how the object behaves. — Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026 Genomic testing and precision medicine can reveal molecular features that may influence how a cancer behaves and which therapies may be most effective. — Baptist Health, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 This starts with every company that is training and deploying frontier models having robust internal processes and controls to ensure that their technology behaves as intended and that any issues are promptly identified and resolved. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026 But high bromide content behaves unpredictably during fabrication. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026 The real breakthrough may instead be an electric vehicle that is lighter, safer, simpler, easier to recharge, easier to service and ultimately behaves more like a true automobile. — Vincent Yang, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 That means the Basecamp behaves much more like an EV than a conventional hybrid. — New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026 If the mountain lion behaves aggressively or advances toward you, throw objects, shout and fight back if attacked. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for behaves

Verb

Duchien finished with 249 yards on 23-for-32 passing and 92 yards on 14 carries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Big plays boosted Roberts’ rushing totals to 211 yards on 24 carries with three TDs.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of carries

Verb

Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
For that demographic, form is everything, and the paper acquits its pledge that every dog must have its daily.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of acquits

Verb

The autonomous vehicle launches from a carrier aircraft and conducts high-speed atmospheric tests before returning for recovery.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Of course, how Ovechkin conducts himself and presents his views is his own business.

— Dominik Hasek, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of conducts

Verb

California’s Labor Commissioner handles retaliation complaints arising under laws within its jurisdiction.

— William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
James’ office also handles other criminal work and has the power to investigate every death in the state involving law enforcement.

— Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of handles

Verb

The man composes his responses with the help of a manual that instructs him on which incoming string of Chinese characters should be answered with which other string of Chinese characters.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026
Agent authority composes dynamically.

— Harsh Singhal, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Definition of composes

Verb

Farther down, the levee that restrains the rivers is a low line of trees into the horizon.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
The constitutional exclusionary rule restrains government, not private parties, so the Fourth Amendment generally does not bar evidence wrongfully obtained by a private actor.

— Jihun Joun, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of restrains

Verb

Advertisement Their collection contains nearly a hundred pieces by around 40 artists from the Black diaspora, including fellow honoree Sherald.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
In addition to that central pool, the spa complex contains a tepidarium (warm relaxation room), Byzantine hammam (steam room), salt cave, Watsu pool, yoga and fitness rooms, and an area for massages and other treatments.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of contains

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“Behaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behaves. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of behaves

verb

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