Definition of comportnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb comport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comport are acquit, behave, conduct, and deport. While all these words mean "to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way," comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

When might acquit be a better fit than comport?

The meanings of acquit and comport largely overlap; however, acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

When could behave be used to replace comport?

The words behave and comport are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous.

the children behaved in church

When would conduct be a good substitute for comport?

The synonyms conduct and comport are sometimes interchangeable, but conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself.

conducted herself with unfailing good humor

When can deport be used instead of comport?

While the synonyms deport and comport are close in meaning, deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety.

the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry

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 comport The return was more rugged defender Brett Kulak, who comported himself well during the Edmonton Oilers’ runs to the Stanley Cup final in each of the past two years. — Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 7 Mar. 2026 The film tells the true and twisted tale of a deceiver of land and folk, who, defying her birth as a woman, comported herself as a man and committed many a wicked deed. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026 The pair hosted a series of joint practices over the years and Payton always thought highly of how Belichick’s teams comported themselves. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025 Moura remembers how his grandfather and his father comported themselves. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comport
Verb
  • The Rebbe corresponded with Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Basis trades are an arbitrage bet in which hedge funds are positioned long in cash Treasurys while shorting their corresponding futures contracts, with the aim of profiting from the price gap.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In 1999 a group led by Austrian physicist Anton Zeilinger confirmed that fullerenes, large molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms, behave just the same.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Meet the 2026-27 Lakers, a team that will look different, sound different, feel different, play different and behave different from their recent predecessors in every way but one.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This is Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak and has spread to eight provinces, coinciding with an escalation of decades-long conflict in the east between government forces and rebels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its release will coincide with the launch of a new SiriusXM station dedicated to the band.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • During captive-carry testing, engineers can assess equipment carried by an aircraft before proceeding to more demanding flight demonstrations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • For airlines, the larger plane offers a way to carry more passengers on a single flight, potentially lowering costs per seat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Furthermore, many conventional devices use brittle, rigid materials that cannot easily stretch or conform to irregular surfaces, limiting their suitability for soft robotics and seamless biological integration.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
  • These bog bodies tell stories of a time when humans were sacrificed to the gods in bogs, as otherworldly margins between the human and divine realms, or when social outcasts met a cruel, violent end for failing to conform to societal standards.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Democrats have targeted Paxton, who is benefiting from millions in outside spending, over corruption claims and his impeachment by the Texas Legislature, though he was later acquitted.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner earlier in October said that Lewis was acquitted in a previous murder case, blaming police misconduct for the outcome.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Today’s Theme There are seven starred clues, each with answers that don’t fit their allotted space.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The compact design allows Bronze Blossom to fit naturally into an everyday carry setup without sacrificing durability.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In response, Logan said his office is focused on conducting a fair and secure election while noting that Election Day is a mere 18 days away.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That answer is unlikely to satisfy many Democratic primary voters, according to a poll of six early primary states conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Comport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comport. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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