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 On Friday, the Heat coach returned to his sanctuary -- the Kaseya Center court -- and comported himself in a way that left his players inspired. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025 So many women growing up in the '60s and '70s were raised by mothers with specific ideas about how a lady should dress and comport herself: The shoes should match the handbag. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Oct. 2025 Moura remembers how his grandfather and his father comported themselves. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 But generally, the Bobcats comported themselves well against their Big 12 opponent — in contrast to, for example, Oregon State. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comport
Verb
  • Futures on China’s 30-year and 10-year bonds dropped the most since late December on Monday, while corresponding cash yields climbed.
    Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Just like with trees, it was thought that each ring corresponded to a single year of age.
    Regina G. Barber, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • That’s how robots will be expected to behave in the real world.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Infectious disease experts and doctors said federal policies have left health care workers to lean on their own experience or guidance from their state public health systems to fight a disease that many are preparing to see for the first time and that initially may behave like the common cold.
    Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The festival usually coincides with St Patrick’s Day — although not this year — and has become a showcase for Irish racing.
    Ian King, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The lawmakers also reference the particular focus on this year’s parade, where the route has been reversed to mark America’s 250th birthday and coincide with the historic route that was used during the British evacuation of Boston.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In these materials, applying an electric field aligns small electric charges within the crystal structure, reducing the scattering of heat-carrying vibrations.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The charges Mountbatten-Windsor faces carry the possibility of a lifetime sentence.
    Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The District voted late last year not to conform to the new tax laws, but Congress voted to reverse that decision in the middle of tax season.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Trump’s figure doesn’t conform to findings by retirement professionals such as the 401(k) overseers at Bank of America.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • She was acquitted of an additional count of criminal impersonation, a charge of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, and an identity theft charge.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Even though he was acquitted of a conspiracy to commit murder charge, Tinkler Mendez sentenced Barnes to life in prison.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The initial goal was a single-family home that could fit a family of four (plus a dog), and was within walking distance of the school.
    Carisa Crawford Chappell, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The man at the gun shop looked at Martinez, a small woman with round eyes and rosy cheeks, and recommended the pistol, which fit nicely in her hands.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Officers froze the area around the vehicle and conducted limited evacuations of buildings in the vicinity while the department's bomb squad assessed the device.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Due to the 2024 hot fire test incident, the German launch startup spent 18 months conducting a comprehensive technical overhaul to ensure mission success.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comport. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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