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

Months later, a psychiatrist evaluated Acacio at the behest of the medical board and found he has a “mental condition affecting his ability to practice medicine safely,” according to the document.

From Los Angeles Times

This marked a turnaround after years of tension fueled by Canada’s arrest in 2018, at the U.S.’s behest, of a senior Huawei Technologies executive.

From The Wall Street Journal

He’s accusing them of betraying the U.S. at the behest of nefarious interests he didn’t identify, no doubt because they don’t exist.

From The Wall Street Journal

This month, Australia's federal police charged two Chinese nationals with foreign interference, accusing them of spying on a Buddhist group at the behest of police in China.

From Barron's

Australian police said Wednesday they have charged two Chinese nationals with foreign interference, accusing them of spying on a Buddhist group at the behest of police in China.

From Barron's