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Antonyms for behave

Grammar : Verb
Spell : bih-heyv
Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈheɪv


Definition of behave

Origin :
  • early 15c., from be- intensive prefix + have in sense of "to have or bear (oneself) in a particular way, comport" (cf. German sich behaben, French se porter). Cognate Old English compound behabban meant "to contain," and alternatively the modern sense of behave might have evolved from behabban via a notion of "self-restraint." Related: Behaved; behaving.
  • verb function
  • verb act reasonably, properly
Example sentences :
  • Otherwise I may behave in a manner to be regretted in my calmer moments.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "He's no business to behave as if it was Papa's fault," said Harriett.
  • Extract from : « Life and Death of Harriett Frean » by May Sinclair
  • Why should any one be taught to behave like a gentleman, so long as he is no gentleman?
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Yes; but one who could behave like that would be only too likely to give other grounds of offence.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • Suffer me, then, briefly to give you a few hints as to how an audience should behave.
  • Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 2, April 9, 1870 » by Various
  • The main body of the Neapolitans, under Mack, did not behave better.
  • Extract from : « The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson » by Robert Southey
  • I know how to behave myself to gentlemen as well as another.
  • Extract from : « Joseph Andrews Vol. 1 » by Henry Fielding
  • All I repeat to you, my boy, is, behave as you ought to Tom Channing.
  • Extract from : « The Channings » by Mrs. Henry Wood
  • The next consideration therefore was, how she should behave to Joseph when he came in.
  • Extract from : « Joseph Andrews Vol. 1 » by Henry Fielding
  • He sent for me, and when I went to him promised to behave well all night long.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt

Synonyms for behave

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019