behaves

Definition of behavesnext
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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Example Sentences

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 However, if the prisoner behaves poorly, their level will be dropped. Ashlynd Baecht, The Frontier, 6 Jan. 2026 The New Science of Metabolic Influence Emerging university research suggests that metabolic health may quietly influence how the hair cycle behaves. Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025 Under that field, the frost behaves like a leaky dielectric layer. Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025 What matters is how the system behaves during real conversations with vulnerable users. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025 We’re used to tough pre-sales, the death of mid-budget movies, and buyers demanding names, but now the money behaves like mercury, breaking into smaller pieces and hiding in strange corners. Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 29 Dec. 2025 The ongoing issues include inherent biases embedded in AI, an overall lack of transparency and inconsistency in how the technology behaves. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025 Despite forming around another star, 3I/ATLAS behaves much like comets born closer to home. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025 But in the lobby, not everyone behaves well. Jessica Neal, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behaves
Verb
  • While Nix’s absence naturally carries plenty of weight, fill-in Jarrett Stidham is far from incompetent.
    Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Now Michael Leon is behind bars, facing charges of murdering his wife with a gun, which carries 50 years to life in prison.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • To fit all listening scenarios, like all DALI loudspeakers, KUPID also acquits itself at low and high volumes.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • McKinley acquits himself capably enough with the few complex action set pieces, notably when a tattered rope bridge across a deep gorge requires enterprising thinking and physical endangerment of Murphy.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
  • In a typical acquisition, the buyer conducts extensive due diligence to understand the target company’s financial performance, contracts, liabilities, intellectual property, customer concentration, employee matters, and more.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from California and Florida.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Unlike end-of-life recycling plants, the CRCC primarily handles unused cells and residues from pilot production.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
  • ChatGPT handles the thinking work that used to require a whole team.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Sharon Udoh Udoh composes, writes and improvises hymns.
    Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The episode Art was created by Lily Whear and Lizzie Younan composes our music.
    Gabriela Saldivia, Scientific American, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • According to projections made at the December meeting, that’s only about half a percentage point from the committee consensus on the neutral rate, or one that neither supports nor restrains growth.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
  • There are also possible free speech claims if the law restrains NIL opportunities and interferes with First Amendment freedom of expression.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Use Paint to Refresh Cracked Wood Start by cleaning the wood with hot, soapy water that contains a degreasing agent.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 Jan. 2026
  • DeFi advocates also want to ensure the market structure bill contains language allowing individuals to self-custody their crypto.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Behaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behaves. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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