Synonyms of behest

behest

noun

bi-ˈhest 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• edict
• instruction
• order
• direction
• directive
• do
• injunction
• decree
• command
• commandment
• imperative
• requirement
• dictate
• charge
• demand
• word
• mandate
• law
• rule
• statute
• regulation
• ordinance
• countermand
• counterorder
• prescription
• precept
• prescript

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• petition
• appeal
• plea
• proposal
• recommendation
• urging
• entreaty
• suggestion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of behest

Now, at the behest of police and firefighter unions across California, state lawmakers are pushing through legislation to unwind parts of Brown’s changes. — Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Three other senior executives at the company have since died in mysterious circumstances, presumptively at the behest of the Russian government, including a former chairman who fell out of a hospital window. — Kimon De Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026

The people who joined were not there at the behest of a political organization but were drawn, like pilgrims to hip pilgrimage sites, by the promise of an insurrectionary pleasure. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

When Beltran was called up in September 1998, Brett reminded, the Royals were owned by a trust commissioned to keep the team in town at the behest of late Royals founder Ewing Kauffman. — Vahe Gregorian july 29, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

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