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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Recent Examples of behaves
The ski also includes other features that let the rider adjust how the craft behaves on the water.
—
New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
On Earth, skis can glide across snowy surfaces because of the way water ice behaves.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Whole fruit, for example, behaves very differently than cookies or candy.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
With these statistical corrections, researchers can more accurately predict how energy behaves in chaotic environments, such as during the formation of severe storms.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Success hasn’t changed the way Hoffman behaves.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Local information behaves like a public good — its benefits spill far beyond individual users, and private markets consistently under-provide it, particularly in rural areas.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Types of polar vortex events Meteorologists generally track two main ways the polar vortex behaves when it’s disrupted.
—Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
Everyone else around them has matured and behaves in an age-appropriate manner.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
On Earth, skis can glide across snowy surfaces because of the way water ice behaves.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Whole fruit, for example, behaves very differently than cookies or candy.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
With these statistical corrections, researchers can more accurately predict how energy behaves in chaotic environments, such as during the formation of severe storms.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Success hasn’t changed the way Hoffman behaves.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Local information behaves like a public good — its benefits spill far beyond individual users, and private markets consistently under-provide it, particularly in rural areas.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Types of polar vortex events Meteorologists generally track two main ways the polar vortex behaves when it’s disrupted.
—Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
Everyone else around them has matured and behaves in an age-appropriate manner.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behaves
Verb
-
Unlike most hydroelectric plants, it is not located at the base of the dam, but carries water down about 1,000 feet in elevation to generate more water pressure and electricity.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
While smoking is widely understood to pose health risks, the habit also carries steep financial consequences.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
And the bureau has said its digital evidence laboratory conducts hundreds of audio and video examinations each year.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Billboards around San Francisco advertise a product that conducts audits before your AI girlfriend breaks up with you; founders are earnest about curing death.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Its network handles a range of freight services, including bulk commodity exports.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
River Forest village President Cathy Adduci and village administrator Matt Walsh said the plan is advancing to the Development Review Board, which handles Planned Unit Development applications for large-scale projects.—
Igor Studenkov,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sharon Udoh Udoh composes, writes and improvises hymns.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
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The episode Art was created by Lily Whear and Lizzie Younan composes our music.—
Gabriela Saldivia,
Scientific American,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Black tea contains polyphenols, such as theaflavins and thearubigins, that act like prebiotics, benefiting the bacteria in your microbiome.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
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For instance, some soil contains too much clay, causing drainage problems.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Behaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behaves. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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