behaviors

noun

plural of behavior
as in actions
the way or manner in which one conducts oneself usually the enfant terrible, he's promising to be on his best behavior for the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 behaviors The range of behaviors the script demanded from the character was daunting. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026 Sleep deprivation strips away that capacity, often resulting in erratic outbursts or defensive behaviors that dismantle trust instantly. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 What makes these behaviors especially dangerous is that they’re often disguised as concern or devotion. — Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026 The public can report suspicious behaviors via the iWatchTexas app or by calling 1-844-643-2251. — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026 The uptick in chronic diseases is driven not only by an increasingly aging population, but by people’s lifestyle behaviors, according to the doctor. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 These behaviors make having a productive discussion or peaceable relationship untenable. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 The highest number of fatal attacks, the study found, occurred after high-risk behaviors, including deliberately entering waterways known to contain alligators. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behaviors
  1. actions
  2. demeanors
  3. attitudes
  4. manners
Noun
  • In a White House news release listing 60 actions the administration has taken as part of its America First agenda to restrict immigration, the first four actions were decisions by the Supreme Court.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Lesnick said the department would move those Arkansans to other plans without any actions required from them at the moment.
    — Nathan Ansell, Arkansas Online, 6 July 2026
Definition of actions
Noun
  • Ashley and Austin's demeanors change while walking to the car after the fundraiser.
    — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Of the rest, demeanors vary, but only Hoiberg can yell at officials and still manage to do it in a sort of friendly way.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of demeanors
Noun
  • Consumer attitudes, especially among Gen-Z, have shifted dramatically over the past few years, with many placing greater value on moderation, home consumption, and low-alcohol lifestyles.
    — Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • Americans’ attitudes toward the economy have improved slightly as gas prices declined, but their outlook remains mostly negative.
    — Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of attitudes
Noun
  • Earlier in the week, after France’s bruising win over Paraguay, a Paraguayan senator launched into a series of vile and racist attacks against Mbappé, questioning his intelligence, his manners, and even his Frenchness.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
  • Since taking the reins, Warsh has pledged to revamp the Fed’s operations in a variety of manners.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of manners

Browse Nearby Words

behavior
behaviors
behead
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Behaviors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behaviors. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on behaviors

Nglish: Translation of behaviors for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All