behest

noun

be·hest bi-ˈhest How to pronounce behest (audio)

bē-

: an authoritative order : command

The meeting was called at the senator's behest.

: an urgent prompting

At the behest of her friends, she read the poem aloud.

Did you know?

Behest is an ancient word: it is almost a thousand years old. It was formed from the prefix be- and the verb hātan ("to command" or "to promise"), and its Old English ancestor was used exclusively in the sense of "promise," a now-obsolete meaning that continued on in Middle English especially in the phrase "the land of behest." The "command" meaning of behest is also ancient but it's still in good use, typically referring to an authoritative order. Behest is now also used with a less weighty meaning; it can refer to an urgent prompting, as in "a repeat performance at the behest of the troupe's fans."

Example Sentences

I only made the change at the author's behest.

Recent Examples on the Web In Pennsylvania’s Fox Chapel Area School District, two students were retained at the behest of educators, while eight families decided their students would repeat a grade.

Brooke Schultz, Heather Hollingsworth, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 The Senate didn't pay the $155 per diem to Clark for that meeting at the behest of Senate leaders.

Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2022 Japanese horror movie Audition, directed by Takashi Miike, focuses on Shigeharu, a widower staging fake auditions to meet a new partner, at the behest of his son.

Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Aug. 2022 In multiple situations, Twitter learned that employees had intentionally installed spyware on their computers at the behest of third-party organizations, according to the disclosure.

Brian Fung, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 The conservative talk radio host Hugh Hewitt, who has spoken at Chautauqua twice—once through official channels but more recently at the behest of ABC—said these organizations seem increasingly out of touch.

Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 At that time, Savannah also shared the number for the National Suicide Hotline, 1-800-273-8255, at the behest of Pearlman's sister.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2022 Christopher Gibbons, Fox's attorney, continued to press Dan on Monday, noting his consistent contact with Fox at the behest of the FBI.

Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 15 Aug. 2022 At the behest of activists, vulnerable patients were being fast-tracked into wildly experimental treatment, while clinicians (later whistle-blowers) who objected were being silenced.

The Editors, National Review, 15 Aug. 2022 See More

单词	behest
释义	behest noun be·hest bi-ˈhest bē- 1 : an authoritative order : command The meeting was called at the senator's behest. 2 : an urgent prompting At the behest of her friends, she read the poem aloud. Did you know? Behest is an ancient word: it is almost a thousand years old. It was formed from the prefix be- and the verb hātan ("to command" or "to promise"), and its Old English ancestor was used exclusively in the sense of "promise," a now-obsolete meaning that continued on in Middle English especially in the phrase "the land of behest." The "command" meaning of behest is also ancient but it's still in good use, typically referring to an authoritative order. Behest is now also used with a less weighty meaning; it can refer to an urgent prompting, as in "a repeat performance at the behest of the troupe's fans." Synonyms charge command commandment decree dictate direction directive do edict imperative injunction instruction order word See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences I only made the change at the author's behest. Recent Examples on the Web In Pennsylvania’s Fox Chapel Area School District, two students were retained at the behest of educators, while eight families decided their students would repeat a grade. Brooke Schultz, Heather Hollingsworth, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 The Senate didn't pay the $155 per diem to Clark for that meeting at the behest of Senate leaders. Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2022 Japanese horror movie Audition, directed by Takashi Miike, focuses on Shigeharu, a widower staging fake auditions to meet a new partner, at the behest of his son. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Aug. 2022 In multiple situations, Twitter learned that employees had intentionally installed spyware on their computers at the behest of third-party organizations, according to the disclosure. Brian Fung, CNN, 24 Aug. 2022 The conservative talk radio host Hugh Hewitt, who has spoken at Chautauqua twice—once through official channels but more recently at the behest of ABC—said these organizations seem increasingly out of touch. Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 At that time, Savannah also shared the number for the National Suicide Hotline, 1-800-273-8255, at the behest of Pearlman's sister. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2022 Christopher Gibbons, Fox's attorney, continued to press Dan on Monday, noting his consistent contact with Fox at the behest of the FBI. Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 15 Aug. 2022 At the behest of activists, vulnerable patients were being fast-tracked into wildly experimental treatment, while clinicians (later whistle-blowers) who objected were being silenced. The Editors, National Review, 15 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, promise, command, from Old English behǣs promise, from behātan to promise, from be- + hātan to command, promise — more at hight First Known Use 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing behest at the behest of someone at someone's behest at the behest of someone at someone's behest behest noun 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 Relevance edict instruction direction directive order do dictate injunction decree command imperative requirement commandment charge demand mandate law word rule countermand statute regulation counterorder ordinance prescription precept prescript Antonyms & Near Antonyms petition appeal plea urging proposal recommendation entreaty suggestion See More
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behest

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing behest

noun