behavioral
adjective
be·hav·ior·al
bi-ˈhā-vyə-rəl 
bē-
1
: of or relating to behavior : pertaining to reactions made in response to social stimuli
behavioral problems
behavioral similarities
Half of all potential guide dogs don't get final clearance because of medical or behavioral issues.—
Cassie Kreitner
Cassie Kreitner2
: relating to or concerned with the social, psychological, and emotional factors that affect financial decisions and behavior
behavioral economics
Behavioral finance … holds that financial man—far from the perfect, mechanical trader depicted in textbooks—is a rather neurotic fellow. He follows the crowd, fails to plan ahead and often makes mistakes.—Roger Lowenstein
Roger Lowenstein
behaviorally
bi-ˈhā-vyə-rə-lē
adverb
bē-
… gradually came to the conclusion that the wild dogs are physically and behaviorally distinct enough to constitute a uniform breed.
—Christine Mlot
Christine Mlot
Examples of behavioral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One that requires wide-scale behavioral change around consumption and disposal, in conjunction with wide-scale adoption of a new manufacturing mindset around design and production.
—Han Hendriks, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Researchers cite criminological and behavioral theories that observe that individuals commit crimes when the rewards outweigh the costs of their actions.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
These dangers could be exacerbated by workplace conditions and policies that don’t allow for behavioral changes that could help regulate body temperatures, such as taking short breaks or working less intensely.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
The six-year trial concluded a low-calorie Mediterranean diet, alongside exercise and behavioral support, may help decrease your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behavioral
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Han Hendriks, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Researchers cite criminological and behavioral theories that observe that individuals commit crimes when the rewards outweigh the costs of their actions.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
These dangers could be exacerbated by workplace conditions and policies that don’t allow for behavioral changes that could help regulate body temperatures, such as taking short breaks or working less intensely.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
The six-year trial concluded a low-calorie Mediterranean diet, alongside exercise and behavioral support, may help decrease your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behavioral
Cite this Entry
“Behavioral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavioral. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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