behoove

/bɪˈhuv/
IPA guide

Other forms: behooves; behooved; behooving

To behoove someone to do something is to make it advisable or necessary to do so, for their own good or that of others.

It would behoove you to study hard and work for the future you desire. It would behoove the legislature to pass a law behooving citizens to pay their taxes earlier. Behoove comes from the Old English word behofian, which means "to be of use."

Definitions of behoove
  1. verb
    be appropriate or necessary
    “It behooves us to reflect on this matter”
    synonyms: behove
    see moresee less
    type of:
    conform to, fit, meet
    satisfy a condition or restriction
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