Definition of "behave" []

To conduct oneself in a specified way: The child behaved badly at the party. (verb-intransitive)
To conduct oneself in a proper way: I told the child to behave. (verb-intransitive)
To act, react, function, or perform in a particular way: This fabric behaves well even in hot weather. (verb-intransitive)
To conduct (oneself) properly: Did you behave yourself at the party? (verb-transitive)
To conduct (oneself) in a specified way: The witness behaved herself with great calmness. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "behave" in a sentence

"Some nonsense about the free market regulating and fixing itself and if we just leave it alone credit card companies will magically learn how not to behave is a usurious manner?"
"How we behave is up to us, but Nikolai believes that everything is predetermined by one's particular circumstances (galley page 293)."
"What they do and how they behave is irrelevant, when compared to the dues they believe are owed their innate sense of self-worth."

Words like "behave"

acquit act bear behaved behaves behaving behavior

behavioral behaviorism behaviorist bend over backwards carry comport conduct

demean deport hugger-mugger loosen up manage quite rage

relax sentimentise snap storm vulgarize