as in edict
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
I only made the change at the author's behest
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Recent Examples of behest
On June 22, 1990, Bobby Cox became the Braves’ field manager at the behest of team president Stan Kasten.
—
Mark Bradley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
Critics say the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is meant to be an independent body, is acting at the behest of the BJP to advance its majoritarian agenda and weaken representation of India’s Muslim minority.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
By mid-October, Oregon State parted ways with deputy athletic director Brent Blaylock, who had served as OSU’s point person on the deal and spent the preceding weeks publicly defending it at the school’s behest.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The State of Florida -- at the behest of the University of Florida Health Hospital in Jacksonville -- was asking for an emergency hearing because Doyley, who had 3 previous cesarean sections (C-sections) was refusing another.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behest
Mark Bradley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
Critics say the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is meant to be an independent body, is acting at the behest of the BJP to advance its majoritarian agenda and weaken representation of India’s Muslim minority.
—Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
By mid-October, Oregon State parted ways with deputy athletic director Brent Blaylock, who had served as OSU’s point person on the deal and spent the preceding weeks publicly defending it at the school’s behest.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The State of Florida -- at the behest of the University of Florida Health Hospital in Jacksonville -- was asking for an emergency hearing because Doyley, who had 3 previous cesarean sections (C-sections) was refusing another.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behest
Noun
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The Chargers’ last game was a playoff loss to Vrabel’s Patriots, so nothing short of an edict from the NFL probably would have stopped the franchise’s social media team from referencing the Vrabel-Russini controversy.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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The first Super Bowl-winning quarterback in franchise history never had his number officially retired, but there was an unofficial edict not to issue it for much of the past decade.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
L’Equipe reported last week that Marseille’s staff were running out of patience with him and that Beye had interrupted a training session in frustration after the 24-year-old ignored his instructions.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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For those wishing to hone their game, The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee, created in partnership with TaylorMade, offers innovative technology and personal instruction at the highest level.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
According to the source, Foxx (who is already a dad of two) was working on getting his career back in order after his medical issues, leading to his brief breakup from Huckstepp.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The paella is large and the tapas are, of course, small so order accordingly and perhaps study the menu beforehand.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The draft was the league’s first step in this direction.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The legal system is moving in both directions at once.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Under that directive, the DOJ has been tasked with expediting review of these cases.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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Trump made the comments during an Oval Office event with administration officials, congressional allies, and IVF advocates announcing a new federal directive allowing employers to offer additional fertility insurance packages to employees.—
Haris Alic,
The Washington Examiner,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
One reason why the suit requests a preliminary injunction so that that doesn’t happen.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
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The communities are fighting back, but even court injunctions haven't stopped the bulldozers.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Behest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behest. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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