behoove

American  

[bih-hoov] / bɪˈhuv /

especially British, behove

verb (used with object)

behooved, behooving

1. to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical considerations; be incumbent on.

   It behooves the court to weigh evidence impartially.

2. to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage.

   It would behoove you to be nicer to those who could help you.

   Synonyms:

   beseem, befit, suit, advance, better, serve, advantage, benefit

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verb (used without object)

behooved, behooving

1. Archaic. to be needful, proper, or due.

   Perseverance is a quality that behooves in a scholar.

Etymology

Origin of behoove

First recorded before 900; Middle English behoven, Old English behōfian “to need” ( behōf behoof + -ian infinitive suffix)

Example Sentences

Financially, it would behoove Moore to keep the trade specialized and therefore more lucrative for himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025

And one of those movies is literally called “Queer,” so it doesn’t behoove anyone for me to be coy.

From Salon • Dec. 1, 2024

But sleep is strange: Why would it behoove organisms to shut out the environment for hours and hours, making themselves vulnerable to predators and other dangers?

From Scientific American • Jun. 16, 2023

Warner said it would behoove the FBI to come to northern Virginia to take advantage of its internationally diverse workforce.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2023

Would it not behoove the Department of Homeland Security to add a name to their roster of dangerous individuals?

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers