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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of behest
That investigation came at the behest of Cornyn.
—
Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Today's sentencing underscores the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our partners to defending the homeland and holding accountable anyone who tries to subvert the will of American voters at the behest of our adversaries.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
The attorney did not name the ex-councilmember, but several Oakland officials have been identified by city ethics watchdogs as receiving donations from people allegedly at the behest of the Duong family.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers are considering potential changes to immigration enforcement operations at the behest of Democrats who refused to fund the agency without reforms.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behest
Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Today's sentencing underscores the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our partners to defending the homeland and holding accountable anyone who tries to subvert the will of American voters at the behest of our adversaries.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
The attorney did not name the ex-councilmember, but several Oakland officials have been identified by city ethics watchdogs as receiving donations from people allegedly at the behest of the Duong family.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers are considering potential changes to immigration enforcement operations at the behest of Democrats who refused to fund the agency without reforms.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for behest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behest
Noun
-
Commissioner Adam Silver delivered an edict on potential changes for the 2026-27 season to deter tanking as a whole during a general managers meeting Thursday, according to an ESPN report.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Covid-19 bred doubt about government edicts and skepticism about science, provoking an existential battle for truth.—
Richard Edelman,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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One drugged and raped his own wife according to Pelicot’s instructions and offered her to Pelicot; another proposed his mother as a prospective victim.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
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Similar laws in Texas and Arkansas face federal court challenges as Republicans nationwide push to incorporate religious instruction into public schools.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Takoma Park, Maryland, mayor’s order that people not clap during a public meeting led to insults and even a poll.—
Paul Schwartzman,
Washington Post,
28 Feb. 2026
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And if bankers became worried that Paramount was too leveraged, the tech mogul agreed to put in more money in order to secure the bank financing.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s direction of the hospital ship to Greenland comes shortly after NATO began boosting its defense in the Arctic, largely conducting military drills.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
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The publication’s top editors are jockeying for the editor-in-chief role, a powerful position at a magazine where the writers, rather than the business side, traditionally control the direction of the enterprise.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That earlier disclosure revealed a directive signed by Lyons reversing longstanding rules that barred officers from entering homes without judicial warrants.—
Michael Kaplan,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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Public health officials have not recommended that people remove bird feeders because of the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu, but keep your eyes out for any future directives.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traum not only granted Blythe an injunction to play in 2026 but also rebuked the NCAA’s restriction of eligibility to four seasons of a sport in five years as especially problematic in the current college sports world.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Feb. 2026
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Until then, the court issued an injunction that pauses the state law from taking effect.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Behest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behest. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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