Definition of comportnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb comport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comport are acquit, behave, conduct, and deport. While all these words mean "to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way," comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

When might acquit be a better fit than comport?

The meanings of acquit and comport largely overlap; however, acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

When could behave be used to replace comport?

The words behave and comport are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous.

the children behaved in church

When would conduct be a good substitute for comport?

The synonyms conduct and comport are sometimes interchangeable, but conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself.

conducted herself with unfailing good humor

When can deport be used instead of comport?

While the synonyms deport and comport are close in meaning, deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety.

the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry

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 comport The idea, instead, was to look to the future, all of which comported well with plans already on the ground in Philadelphia. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 The film tells the true and twisted tale of a deceiver of land and folk, who, defying her birth as a woman, comported herself as a man and committed many a wicked deed. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026 The pair hosted a series of joint practices over the years and Payton always thought highly of how Belichick’s teams comported themselves. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025 Moura remembers how his grandfather and his father comported themselves. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for comport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comport
Verb
  • Neither corresponds to any investigation, case, incident, or call for service.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But the date passed with no sign of an opening and without North Korea doing corresponding works on its side.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Their primary role has been to assess AI model capabilities and risks and to flag instances where the technology behaves badly.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The snow pile in the parking lot Heat can behave in surprising ways.
    — Moones Alamooti, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These unprecedented attacks in waters near NATO countries coincide with a growing wave of incidents attributed to Russian hybrid or gray-zone warfare tactics.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This shift coincided with a competitive Republican primary and an uncompetitive Democratic primary for governor in 2026, while both parties held competitive gubernatorial primaries in 2022.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Over the years the retailer has carried third-party denim in its stores such as Re/Done, A GoldE and Acne.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Funding arrangements should reflect who benefits and who carries the risk.
    — Hani Assi, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • While outlandish, most of the basic facts here conform to reporting about the real-life events.
    — Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Mass popularity usually demands conformity, and this show didn’t conform.
    — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Singleton was ultimately acquitted of all charges, the statement said.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Eric Lewis, the man accused of killing a Philadelphia police officer in an ambush, was acquitted of murder in 2019 in a case the district attorney says was undermined by police misconduct.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Holden’s ear for beats has steadily improved to fit his breakneck delivery since 2022, peaking with 2025’s Mulberry Silk Road, which was primarily laced by German producer 2000 Souls and executive-produced by Marciano.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Surely this fits McCutcheon’s criteria of adding names for doing significant things future generations should remember, since this donation reopened the monument after its public closure.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The historical research aiding the film is conducted in collaboration with Caróu Oliveira, a Black historian dedicated to the study of slavery and the daily lives of Black women in the 19th century.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This was the result of seven years of research conducted with mourners and anthropologists.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Comport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comport. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster