Synonyms of beat

beat 1 of 3

verb

ˈbēt 

1

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• whip
• hide
• pound
• lash
• knock
• hit
• punch
• slap
• thump
• do
• pelt
• attack
• batter
• smash
• assault
• spank
• pummel
• slam
• bat
• chop
• maul
• bludgeon
• thrash
• punch out
• hammer
• bash
• drub
• paddle
• smack
• club
• whup
• work over
• whack
• flog
• rough (up)
• raid
• lambast
• slate
• switch
• belt
• curry
• beat up on
• tan
• box
• wallop
• lambaste
• thresh
• whop
• swipe
• storm
• buffet
• lather
• slog
• wound
• whale
• belabor
• crack
• fib
• lace
• whap
• mess (up)
• baste
• bung up
• birch
• pommel
• rush
• tromp
• clobber
• swat
• descend (on or upon)
• cudgel
• assail
• lay on
• paste
• cane
• strap
• thwack
• jump (on)
• clout
• beset
• pounce (on or upon)
• whomp
• sock
• bust
• flagellate
• leather
• wham
• cuff
• horsewhip
• scourge
• lam
• lacerate
• blackjack
• mutilate
• maim
• cowhide
• pistol-whip
• mangle
• gore
• fustigate
• rawhide

2

as in to defeat

to achieve a victory over

she always beats everyone at checkers, but she's not as good at chess

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeat
• overcome
• master
• get
• take
• worst
• best
• conquer
• stop
• dispatch
• subdue
• lick
• surmount
• succeed
• get around
• win (against)
• upend
• trim
• get the better of
• overmatch
• triumph (over)
• prevail (over)
• overbear
• finish
• do down
• bury
• skunk
• sweep
• surpass
• crush
• overwhelm
• whip
• knock for a loop
• better
• score
• trounce
• upset
• slaughter
• annihilate
• blow out
• clobber
• exceed
• thrash
• drub
• break
• blow away
• bomb
• flatten
• excel
• outdo
• vanquish
• top
• cream
• rout
• skin
• subjugate
• snow under
• edge (out)
• overpower
• flourish
• wallop
• nose out
• smoke
• cap
• outshine
• unseat
• overthrow
• pip
• outdistance
• knock over
• transcend
• outstrip
• outfight
• wax
• shellac
• eclipse
• knock off
• overtop
• ace (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)
• fall
• go down
• give up
• fail
• fold
• collapse
• go under
• wash out
• flunk
• flop

3

as in to surpass

to be greater, better, or stronger than

this new animated feature sure beats everything else that's ever been done in animation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surpass
• exceed
• top
• better
• eclipse
• outdo
• excel
• outshine
• outdistance
• outstrip
• transcend
• overcome
• defeat
• outclass
• outmatch
• master
• outgun
• overtop
• outrun
• run rings around
• outpace
• tower (over)
• best
• one-up
• overshadow
• go one better
• outperform
• run circles around
• subdue
• worst
• conquer
• lick
• outweigh
• clobber
• surmount
• trump
• trounce
• win (against)
• shame
• outrace
• whip
• thrash
• triumph (over)
• rout
• prevail (over)
• outcompete
• crush
• drub
• trim
• overmatch
• wallop
• overpass
• overbear
• skunk
• outbalance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)

4

as in to throb

to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner

the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

• throb
• pulse
• vibrate
• pulsate
• palpitate
• tremble
• pit-a-pat
• fluctuate
• pitter-patter
• quiver
• oscillate

5

as in to flutter

to move or cause to move with a striking motion

the bird's wings beat strongly as it soared in the air

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flutter
• flap
• whip
• flail
• knock
• wave
• flop
• smack
• spank
• thump
• sway
• swing
• flick
• bang
• batter
• flit
• flicker
• pulse
• pound
• fan
• oscillate
• buffet
• undulate
• throb
• palpitate

6

as in to frustrate

to prevent from achieving a goal

you beat me to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frustrate
• thwart
• defeat
• hamper
• baffle
• prevent
• overcome
• balk
• foil
• stop
• hinder
• impede
• checkmate
• halt
• handicap
• tie up
• discomfit
• block
• set back
• interfere (with)
• hold back
• check
• preclude
• arrest
• hobble
• obstruct
• nullify
• stall
• forestall
• inhibit
• clog
• conquer
• offset
• neutralize
• avert
• counteract
• encumber
• obviate
• bar
• shackle
• negate
• short-circuit
• fetter
• manacle
• trammel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward
• encourage
• promote
• assist
• advance
• cultivate
• further
• foster
• aid
• nurture
• facilitate
• ease
• smooth
• abet

7

as in to draw

to shape with a hammer

the medieval artisans who beat iron into exquisite swords

Synonyms & Similar Words

• draw
• forge
• hammer
• carve
• pound
• fashion
• chase
• mold
• cut
• stamp
• pat
• work
• sculpt
• form
• knead
• model
• planish
• mint
• coin
• boast
• grave
• sculpture
• chisel
• hew
• abate
• knap

8

as in to glow

to shine with a bright harsh light

the tropical sun beat down on our heads without mercy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• burn
• flare
• glare
• gleam
• flash
• blaze
• flame
• beam
• glance
• sparkle
• blind
• glisten
• radiate
• dazzle
• glint
• shimmer
• glitter
• twinkle
• glimmer
• scintillate
• bedazzle
• glister
• daze

9

as in to drum

to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically

beat the drum in a marching rhythm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drum
• tap
• bang
• pat
• hit
• rap
• clap
• knock
• pound
• bat
• smack
• thump
• whack
• slam
• bop
• click
• hammer
• swat
• thud
• ping
• bash
• paste
• sock
• wallop
• strike
• thwack
• bonk
• flick
• clatter
• tip
• clink
• chink
• chuck
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

10

as in to confuse

to throw into a state of mental uncertainty

it beats me how that slipup happened

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confuse
• baffle
• puzzle
• bewilder
• perplex
• stun
• get
• embarrass
• rattle
• bother
• pose
• disturb
• upset
• confound
• fluster
• flummox
• discombobulate
• mystify
• befuddle
• disorient
• bamboozle
• maze
• vex
• muddle
• gravel
• fox
• addle
• muddy
• buffalo
• bemuse
• stick
• fuddle
• unsettle
• blow one's mind
• befog
• stump
• mortify
• go to one's head
• distress
• faze
• disconcert
• deceive
• agitate
• abash
• perturb
• discountenance
• fool
• trick
• discomfit
• weird out
• unhinge
• discomfort
• snow
• discompose
• nonplus
• mislead
• delude
• dismay
• chagrin
• take in
• dupe
• disquiet
• beguile
• string along
• hoodwink
• misguide
• gull
• hoax
• cozen
• humbug

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assure
• satisfy
• inform
• reassure
• enlighten

11

as in to circumvent

to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness

he spends all of his time trying to beat the system

Synonyms & Similar Words

• circumvent
• evade
• avoid
• ignore
• escape
• bypass
• dodge
• disobey
• shake
• sidestep
• elude
• prevent
• get around
• shortcut
• shun
• skirt
• eschew
• outflank
• disregard
• flout
• deflect
• duck
• ward (off)
• avert
• obviate
• shirk
• end-run
• divert
• parry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• follow
• obey
• comply (with)
• observe
• seek
• accept
• pursue
• welcome
• embrace
• catch
• accede (to)
• acquiesce (to)
• assent (to)
• incur
• contract
• court

12

as in to grind

to reduce to fine particles

years of pounding had beaten the pebbles to a fine dust

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grind
• crush
• pound
• disintegrate
• powder
• pulverize
• mill
• smash
• crumble
• bray
• atomize
• break
• mull
• grate
• comminute
• shatter
• fracture
• crunch
• fragment
• bust
• dash
• splinter
• kibble
• micronize

13

as in to cheat

to rob by the use of trickery or threats

the screenwriter has filed a lawsuit, accusing the production company of beating him out of his share of the film's net profits

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cheat
• squeeze
• pluck
• hustle
• sting
• stick
• screw
• do
• bleed
• deceive
• shortchange
• trick
• victimize
• sucker
• fiddle
• stiff
• shake down
• defraud
• chisel
• short
• exploit
• skin
• rip off
• diddle
• swindle
• bilk
• ream
• chouse
• euchre
• fool
• nobble
• take for a ride
• rook
• fleece
• mulct
• betray
• con
• hose
• take to the cleaners
• gaff
• cozen
• skunk
• thimblerig
• flimflam
• extort
• wrench
• sell a bill of goods to
• clip
• gouge
• do in
• soak
• wrest
• wring
• overcharge
• milk
• nick
• rope (in)
• bitch
• dupe
• gull
• double-cross
• bamboozle
• fast-talk

beat

2 of 3

noun

1

as in blow

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

delivered one hard beat on the drums

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blow
• thump
• punch
• hit
• slap
• knock
• swipe
• whack
• thud
• stroke
• pound
• spank
• lick
• smack
• poke
• bang
• slam
• clap
• clip
• chop
• hook
• kick
• switch
• smash
• crack
• lash
• beating
• belt
• swat
• rap
• pick
• bat
• bop
• pelt
• hack
• slug
• bash
• pounding
• sock
• stripe
• cuff
• plump
• box
• buffet
• bust
• thwack
• fillip
• knee
• clout
• wallop
• douse
• wham
• dab
• licking
• biff
• stinger
• haymaker
• welt
• swing
• whap
• whop
• hand
• left
• counter
• larrup
• right
• hammering
• whip
• counterblow
• whipping
• sucker punch
• body blow
• shiver
• one-two
• thrashing
• pummeling
• roundhouse
• counterstroke
• battering
• knockdown
• knockout
• KO
• uppercut
• counterpunch
• rabbit punch
• flogging
• drubbing
• pummelling
• walloping
• sidewinder
• pasting
• cruncher
• clobbering
• bludgeoning
• bastinado
• cudgelling
• cudgeling
• right-hander
• bastinade
• kayo
• lambasting

2

as in pulse

a rhythmic expanding and contracting

a single beat of the heart is said to be all that separates the vice president from the presidency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pulse
• beating
• throb
• pulsation
• tremor
• palpitation
• fluctuation
• vibration
• oscillation
• quiver
• tremble

3

as in rhythm

the recurrent pattern formed by a series of sounds having a regular rise and fall in intensity

moved to the beat of the music

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rhythm
• cadence
• drum
• emphasis
• meter
• throb
• accent
• measure
• stress
• sway
• accentuation
• movement
• swing
• backbeat
• lilt
• trimeter
• hexameter
• pentameter
• tetrameter

4

as in minute

a very small space of time

within a beat he was on the phone complaining about an error in his bill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minute
• heartbeat
• second
• moment
• instant
• split second
• shake
• trice
• wink
• twinkle
• nanosecond
• jiffy
• twinkling
• flash
• New York minute
• jiff
• snatch
• eyeblink
• microsecond
• spurt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• age
• forever
• eternity
• lifetime
• infinity
• eon
• aeon

beat

3 of 3

adjective

as in tired

depleted in strength, energy, or freshness

can we pick this up tomorrow, because I'm beat?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tired
• exhausted
• beaten
• drained
• weary
• worn
• dead
• wearied
• done
• wiped out
• tapped out
• limp
• spent
• worn to a frazzle
• played out
• prostrate
• fatigued
• jaded
• burnt-out
• loggy
• all in
• pooped
• bushed
• aweary
• knackered
• logy
• bleary
• tuckered (out)
• worn-out
• weakened
• burned-out
• washed-out
• sleepy
• overworked
• overtaxed
• broken-down
• debilitated
• sapped
• enfeebled
• lethargic
• sluggish
• drowsy
• overfatigued
• enervated
• run-down
• heavy
• enervate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rested
• fresh
• unwearied
• rejuvenated
• relaxed
• refreshed
• strong
• active
• tireless
• strengthened
• energetic
• peppy
• revitalized
• invigorated
• vitalized
• weariless

Examples of beat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, the Buffs’ Heisman Trophy contender is almost impossible to beat low. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2024

By some, in strappy heels?) 5 | Also, the wedding attendees beat to the crash scene any and all emergency services units? —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 18 Oct. 2024

Noun

On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 Oct. 2024

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Saints 14 The Broncos should win this game, right? —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2024

Adjective

These just barely beat estimates, as analysts polled by LSEG were expecting 72 cents earnings per share on $4.68 billion in revenue. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 16 July 2024

The beat poet and folk artist ran on a platform that included opening nude beaches and converting jails into music and art schools. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 25 June 2024

Phrases Containing beat

• beat a retreat
• beat about the bush
• beat around the bush
• beat it
• beat off
• beat one's brains out (about)
• beat the drum (for)
• beat the pants off
• beat up on
• to beat the band