behoove

American  

[bih-hoov] / bɪˈhuv /

especially British, behove

verb (used with object)

behooved, behooving

1. to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical considerations; be incumbent on.

   It behooves the court to weigh evidence impartially.

2. to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage.

   It would behoove you to be nicer to those who could help you.

   Synonyms:

   beseem, befit, suit, advance, better, serve, advantage, benefit

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verb (used without object)

behooved, behooving

1. Archaic. to be needful, proper, or due.

   Perseverance is a quality that behooves in a scholar.

Etymology

Origin of behoove

First recorded before 900; Middle English behoven, Old English behōfian “to need” ( behōf behoof + -ian infinitive suffix)

Example Sentences

It behooves the Academy to cater to the viewer, because getting people to talk about movies, to see movies and to care about movies at all has been an increasingly difficult task.

From Salon

“It behooves investors to at least offer a little skepticism when there is such a broad consensus that everything will go well,” said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Opportunities such as this come along rarely, and it behooves retirees and near-retirees to seriously consider it for a portion of their retirement assets.

From MarketWatch

Financially, it would behoove Moore to keep the trade specialized and therefore more lucrative for himself.

From Los Angeles Times

It would behoove Europe to get with the program.

From Los Angeles Times