behove
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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behoves,
present (3rd person singular)
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behoved,
past participle, past
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behoving
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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behovesimple
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behovessimple
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have behovedperfect
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has behovedperfect
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am behovingprogressive
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are behovingprogressive
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is behovingprogressive
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have been behovingperfect progressive
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has been behovingperfect progressive
Past
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behovedsimple
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had behovedperfect
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was behovingprogressive
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were behovingprogressive
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had been behovingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of behove
Old English behōfian ; related to Middle Low German behōven
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It does not behove – behoove? – us to stoop to the level of feeding stories.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 7, 2019
If privacy really does matter to the US public, it might behove the applicants to promise some kind of action against the rise of Big Brother Inc.
From Forbes ● Apr. 15, 2015
It probably doesn't behove a rock critic to admit that his favourite radio show is something presented by Dale Winton on .
From The Guardian ● May 5, 2010
I ascertained that they wished me to perform, and it behove me to comply, that I might avoid detection.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
If it turned out that this was so, what course would it behove her to pursue?
From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield
"So it behoves us to do the least we can to try and help them."
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2019
“It behoves upon America to work closely with the Republic of the Philippines, especially on this serious matter.”
From Reuters ● Sep. 26, 2017
Given that Mr Farron’s dilemma was a private and existential one, it hardly behoves Erasmus, or any third party, to say how he should have handled it.
From Economist ● Jun. 16, 2017
“Fellow citizens, this is a national fight, and it behoves all of us to stand together to promote the truth about this deadly disease,” Mr. Koroma said.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 31, 2014
Meanwhile it behoves us to follow Ralph and Rory.
From Wild Adventures round the Pole The Cruise of the "Snowbird" Crew in the "Arrandoon" by Gordon Stables
Now at last Sophia was at liberty to consider--with no obstacle short of Mr. Wollenhope's door--how she should present herself to her lover, and how it behoved him to receive her.
From Sophia A Romance by Stanley John Weyman
She would keep in the background as much as might be, for his sake; but it certainly behoved her to act with promptitude and energy now.
From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. II (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Lewis Wingfield
Besides, I knew that I was treading on slippery ground; that it behoved me to be careful.
From Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France by Stanley J. Weyman
If perchance he had more to fear from man than from nature—why, it behoved him, an English boy, and a Devon boy to boot, to face his destiny with a stout heart.
From With Drake on the Spanish Main by Herbert Strang
It clearly behoved the second wife to rummage in the cupboards of the first.
From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield
To this the lady much demurred, but, it behoving her ensue her husband's pleasure, she promised to do his bidding and followed him to the saloon, to hear what Il Zima should say.
From The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by John Payne
So, since the principles are the cause of our knowing and behoving we know and believe them more, because by reason of them we know also the conclusion following.
From Ethics by Aristotle
Sure to any behoving soul it is above a monarchy; for it includes an anointing both to a royal and priestly office, and carries a title to a kingdom incorruptible and undefiled.
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Hugh Binning
Oh, don't be cross, miss! please not to be cross," cried Daniel, running after her; "I would tell you all about it this very instant moment, if it were behoving to me.
From Springhaven : a Tale of the Great War by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore
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