behest

noun

bi-ˈhest How to pronounce behest (audio)
Definition of behestnext
as in edict
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned I only made the change at the author's behest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of behest The decreases come as the CTA boosted law enforcement on the system at the federal government’s behest, a move that threatened to withhold funding from the transit agency after last year’s Blue Line attack. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The allegations include electric shocks, beatings and asphyxiation at Maduro’s behest. — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The New York Knicks did not exceed it — at the behest of owner James Dolan — and lost Mitchell Robinson. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Three weeks earlier 10 Black students, escorted by local ministers past hundreds of white protesters, were turned away by the Arkansas National Guard—at the behest of the state’s governor, Orval Faubus. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for behest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for behest
  1. edict
  2. instruction
  3. order
  4. direction
  5. directive
  6. injunction
Noun
  • The edict is to transform the operating model when the market fundamentally shifts so the company can thrive in a changing environment.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of edict
Noun
  • That role demands reliable equipment capable of transmitting strategic instructions during severe national security crises.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Gartner expects more than 40% of agentic AI projects, which are projects built on AI that acts on its own rather than waiting for instructions, to be scrapped by the end of 2027, citing escalating costs and unclear business value among the reasons.
    — Ciaran Cosgrave, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • Eight finalists will compete in a series of challenges inspired by the skills required to make each and every order.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Roberts had moved Shohei Ohtani down to sixth in the batting order and put Will Smith behind him.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of order
Noun
  • No other age bracket recorded a change in median net worth larger than 6% in either direction, according to Maggiulli, writing in his blog, Of Dollars and Data.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • When the plant roots encounter an area acidified by decaying plant matter—a chemical gradient distinct from that of animal matter—ABA builds up on the side facing the rot, encouraging growth in the other direction.
    — Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Industry watchers are awaiting any official guidelines for enforcement of its new directive, which may come from the Office of Director of National Intelligence (headed by task force chair Jay Clayton) and the Federal Trade Commission.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The directive bars brands from turning a benefit tied to one feature into an environmental claim about the whole product.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of directive
Noun
  • With that temporary order expiring Tuesday, the judge issued a preliminary injunction that preserves the status quo indefinitely while the case is pending.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Chicago Cubs secured a permanent injunction this month barring neighboring facility Wrigley View Rooftop from selling tickets to watch games, concerts and other events at Wrigley Field.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of injunction

Browse Nearby Words

behemoths
behest
behests
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Cite this Entry

“Behest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/behest. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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