behavior

noun

bi-ˈhā-vyər How to pronounce behavior (audio)
Definition of behaviornext
as in actions
the way or manner in which one conducts oneself usually the enfant terrible, he's promising to be on his best behavior for the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 behavior Neeltje Boogert, an associate professor of animal behavior who studies gulls at the University of Exeter in Britain, believes that Rapp can tell Jerry from other birds. — Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 Until city leaders and RTD officials address the rampant, dangerous behavior at our transit stops, everyday citizens will continue to avoid the bus system. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2026 Some public health specialists told ABC News there are several reasons for the declines, including fewer adolescents and young adults engaging in risky behaviors and public health messaging campaigns. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 Could this be attention-seeking behavior or separation anxiety? — Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for behavior
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behavior
  1. actions
  2. demeanor
  3. attitude
Noun
  • Small businesses may also be able to reduce their taxes through actions like providing employee benefits or starting retirement plans.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Hugging Face, for its part, published a forensic timeline, describing how the autonomous AI system spent four and a half days executing 17,600 distinct hacking actions across multiple organizations — without direct involvement by any humans.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of actions
Noun
  • These pups are actually much like cats with their quiet nature and calm demeanor.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026
  • Some fixate on his emotional on-field demeanor, and others praise his reactions as expressions of passion tied to his want to win.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of demeanor
Noun
  • The early Olympic movement reinforced those same attitudes by barring women from major track and field events altogether.
    — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Agazero’s new take on the genre retains a similarly ambivalent attitude toward the dancefloor.
    — Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Definition of attitude

Browse Nearby Words

behaving
behavior
behaviors
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Cite this Entry

“Behavior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behavior. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of behavior for Spanish Speakers

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