If "behest" feels too formal, you can use more direct English synonyms: What does 'at the behest of' mean? - Plain English
An authoritative command (e.g., "At the CEO's behest, the meeting was rescheduled"). Usage and Etymology behest
You will almost always see this word used in the construction "at the behest of" or "at someone's behest" . If "behest" feels too formal, you can use
The word is an ancient and formal term that carries significantly more weight than a simple "request". It typically refers to an authoritative order or an urgent prompting. Understanding the Nuance If "behest" feels too formal