Behest
noun
A command or instruction from someone with authority.
At the behest of the king, the villagers left their homes.
Often appears as...
- at the behest of
- upon the behest
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A command or instruction from someone with authority.
At the behest of the king, the villagers left their homes.
Often appears as...
- at the behest of
- upon the behest
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Authority Context
Used when someone with power, like a leader or boss, gives an order.
The employees assembled at the behest of the CEO for an urgent meeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Formality Level
'Behest' is a formal word, often found in written texts rather than everyday speech.
The council’s decision was made at the behest of a government edict.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
This word is more common in historical or fantasy contexts, like medieval times.
The knight set forth at the behest of his queen to slay the dragon.
Pro Tip 1/3Authority Context
Used when someone with power, like a leader or boss, gives an order.
The employees assembled at the behest of the CEO for an urgent meeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Formality Level
'Behest' is a formal word, often found in written texts rather than everyday speech.
The council’s decision was made at the behest of a government edict.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
This word is more common in historical or fantasy contexts, like medieval times.
The knight set forth at the behest of his queen to slay the dragon.
Pro Tip 1/3Authority Context
Used when someone with power, like a leader or boss, gives an order.
The employees assembled at the behest of the CEO for an urgent meeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Formality Level
'Behest' is a formal word, often found in written texts rather than everyday speech.
The council’s decision was made at the behest of a government edict.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
This word is more common in historical or fantasy contexts, like medieval times.
The knight set forth at the behest of his queen to slay the dragon.
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Quote examples
Sharan Burrow
Welsh Activist
Trade unions have stood at the front lines of struggles for democratic change and social justice throughout history. In many countries, we are the organized voice of oppositions to governments operating at the behest of corporate power and vested interests.
Quote examples
Jon Anderson
British Musician
I think people should be able to have at their behest, like, four hours of music, entertainment, visual knowledge, different pathways. That's what I'm trying to do with modern technology, not just another song and another song.
Quote examples
Ian Ziering
American Actor
At my pregnant wife's behest, I took the job for the paycheck and the health insurance, and it turned into 'Sharknado.' I couldn't have played this better if I'd wanted to. It's really captured the imagination of sci-fi fans.
Quote examples
David Chipperfield
British Architect
Architecture has curled up in a ball and it's about itself. It has found itself either as a freakshow, where you're not sure if it's good or bad but at least it's interesting, or at the behest of forces of commerce.
Quote examples
Terry Teachout
American Critic
Plays are not written but rewritten, and much of the rewriting takes place at the behest of the director, whose job it is to grapple with the myriad complexities of moving a play from the page to the stage.
Quote examples
John Lanchester
British Journalist
The slogans of globalisation are 'Get on your bike' and 'The world is flat.' People who want to get on have to be willing to move, often and unhesitatingly, at the behest of their employer or to seek work.
Quote examples
Layla Moran
British Politician
MPs put ourselves at the behest of the British people, certainly, but we are not infallible or devoid of sensitivity.
Quote examples
Leigh Whannell
Australian Director
The problem with acting is that there's really no control. You're at the behest of others.
Quote examples
Govinda
Indian Actor
I joined politics at the behest of my seniors and considered it my duty to do so.
Quote examples
Peter Landesman
American Director
I did nothing at the behest of the NFL, for the NFL, against the NFL.
Quote examples
Sharan Burrow
Welsh Activist
Trade unions have stood at the front lines of struggles for democratic change and social justice throughout history. In many countries, we are the organized voice of oppositions to governments operating at the behest of corporate power and vested interests.
Quote examples
Jon Anderson
British Musician
I think people should be able to have at their behest, like, four hours of music, entertainment, visual knowledge, different pathways. That's what I'm trying to do with modern technology, not just another song and another song.
Quote examples
Ian Ziering
American Actor
At my pregnant wife's behest, I took the job for the paycheck and the health insurance, and it turned into 'Sharknado.' I couldn't have played this better if I'd wanted to. It's really captured the imagination of sci-fi fans.
Quote examples
David Chipperfield
British Architect
Architecture has curled up in a ball and it's about itself. It has found itself either as a freakshow, where you're not sure if it's good or bad but at least it's interesting, or at the behest of forces of commerce.
Quote examples
Terry Teachout
American Critic
Plays are not written but rewritten, and much of the rewriting takes place at the behest of the director, whose job it is to grapple with the myriad complexities of moving a play from the page to the stage.
Quote examples
John Lanchester
British Journalist
The slogans of globalisation are 'Get on your bike' and 'The world is flat.' People who want to get on have to be willing to move, often and unhesitatingly, at the behest of their employer or to seek work.
Quote examples
Layla Moran
British Politician
MPs put ourselves at the behest of the British people, certainly, but we are not infallible or devoid of sensitivity.
Quote examples
Leigh Whannell
Australian Director
The problem with acting is that there's really no control. You're at the behest of others.
Quote examples
Govinda
Indian Actor
I joined politics at the behest of my seniors and considered it my duty to do so.
Quote examples
Peter Landesman
American Director
I did nothing at the behest of the NFL, for the NFL, against the NFL.
Example 1 of 10
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