as in carries
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
if the children behave themselves properly and sit quietly during church, they'll get their ice cream afterward
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of behaves
The pattern of stripes shows that the photon’s two interfering paths are wave-like, also suggesting that a quantum particle behaves much like a wave.
—
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
For example, cesium chemically behaves like sodium and potassium, which are accumulated in human tissues.
—Eduardo B. Farfán, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
For the scientists who identified and described the species, the footage offers their first opportunity to observe how Cryptodrassus michaeli behaves.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Because the coating essentially behaves like a dye, it can also be designed to blend with different architectural styles to match the aesthetics of a certain area.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 14 Apr. 2026
At her very best, Emily behaves like a petulant pre-adolescent spoiled imp.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
From this perspective, the most important thing to watch going forward is how Merck behaves around its rising weekly moving averages.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Collecting and analyzing data in this way could provide more up-to-date information on how attention actually behaves today, thereby creating an image of what people do and don’t want from their media.
—Ernest Sturm, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Gathering data about how the heat shield behaves this time around is actually a key mission goal.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
For example, cesium chemically behaves like sodium and potassium, which are accumulated in human tissues.
—Eduardo B. Farfán, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026
For the scientists who identified and described the species, the footage offers their first opportunity to observe how Cryptodrassus michaeli behaves.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Because the coating essentially behaves like a dye, it can also be designed to blend with different architectural styles to match the aesthetics of a certain area.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 14 Apr. 2026
At her very best, Emily behaves like a petulant pre-adolescent spoiled imp.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
From this perspective, the most important thing to watch going forward is how Merck behaves around its rising weekly moving averages.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Collecting and analyzing data in this way could provide more up-to-date information on how attention actually behaves today, thereby creating an image of what people do and don’t want from their media.
—Ernest Sturm, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Gathering data about how the heat shield behaves this time around is actually a key mission goal.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behaves
Verb
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The 5-10, 199-pound Nixon signed with the Packers on Saturday, following a season in which the Texas native led the Knights in rushing touchdowns (seven) and was second in rushing yards (554) and carries (71).—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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Reaves’ soft-tissue injury usually carries a four-to-six-week recovery process.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To fit all listening scenarios, like all DALI loudspeakers, KUPID also acquits itself at low and high volumes.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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McKinley acquits himself capably enough with the few complex action set pieces, notably when a tattered rope bridge across a deep gorge requires enterprising thinking and physical endangerment of Murphy.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
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Swimming in ocean, river or lake water conducts the Earth’s charge similarly to direct skin contact.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
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And the movie, in its rather familiar way, conducts the electricity of Michael Jackson.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The office also handles business registrations, oversees the state archives and runs a potpourri of other state programs, like commissioning notaries public and maintaining a registry for advance care directives.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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While porcelain is very durable and handles baking soda well, Murphy notes that acrylic and fiberglass scratch easily.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The group composes its own sacred music, lilting songs that prompt women in green-and-white wraparounds to vigorously shake their bodies.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The art was created by Lily Whear and Lizzie Younan composes our music.—
Carol Sutton Lewis,
Scientific American,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On a Back Porch offers a bite-size portion (or perhaps a better analogy would be a beer flight) of what the Dead’s vault contains.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
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The bathroom is accessed from the kitchen via a pocket door and contains a shower (with a curtain or optional glass enclosure), a sink, and a choice of flushing, composting, or incinerating toilet, plus a washer/dryer.—
Adam Williams
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Behaves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behaves. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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