behest

American  

[bih-hest] / bɪˈhɛst /

noun

1. a command or directive.

   Synonyms:

   mandate, dictate, decree, bidding, order

2. an earnest or strongly worded request.

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behest British  

/ bɪˈhɛst /

noun

1. an authoritative order or earnest request

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Etymology

Origin of behest

before 1000; Middle English bihest ( e ), Old English behǣs promise. See be-, hest

Example Sentences

She also denied that Friedman had been removed at her behest.

From BBC

Alfred Hitchcock, Carol Reed, Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick and many others made incredible films that directly contradicted the edicts of studio bosses at the behest of the government.

From Salon

They formed this collective in 2024 at the behest of Don Was, Blue Note’s president, to mark the 85th anniversary of the label, which is as venerable as any in jazz.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mbappe has 18 goals across all competitions already this season while adding pressing to his game at the behest of Alonso.

From Barron's

In a post on X, Mexico’s navy said that at the behest of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times