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
Therefore I thought it did behove me to practise some dissimulation lest either my friends or my enemies should get the wind of my business.
From Lawrence Clavering by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
“It behoves upon America to work closely with the Republic of the Philippines, especially on this serious matter.”
From Reuters ● Sep. 26, 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
When someone’s freedom—and, in an American context, possibly his life, as well—is at stake, it surely behoves forensic-science laboratories to take precautions that are equally strong.
From Economist ● Jan. 19, 2012
In my position as Miss Kathie's protector, it sometimes behoves me to do a bit of snooping and to my horror I find a manuscript in Webster's drawer.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 26, 2010
"It behoves me to watch over the Count's interests," he said, slipping away to the safety of his inner chamber.
From For the Right by Karl Emil Franzos
The queen, poor martyr, was sitting in sackcloth and ashes while quaffing the cup of bitterness, and it behoved faithful subjects to don mourning.
From The Maid of Honour (Vol. 3 of 3) A Tale of the Dark Days of France by Lewis Wingfield
All classes went—publicans, soldiers, even the Pharisees and Sadducees, for if this man were really a prophet sent from God, it behoved them to know all about him.
From Ortus Christi Meditations for Advent by Mother St. Paul
But the words it behoved him to use stuck in his throat.
From Starvecrow Farm by Stanley J. Weyman
It behoved him to cast himself on her mercy; he was here for that purpose.
From Starvecrow Farm by Stanley J. Weyman
If Shane chose to distress his mother by flirting with Norah Gillin, it behoved the rest to ignore his sin.
From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Lewis Wingfield
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
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
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
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
