Synonyms of beat
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as in to lick 
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as in to defeat
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as in to surpass
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as in to throb
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as in to flutter
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as in to frustrate
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as in to draw
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as in to glow
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as in to drum
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as in to confuse
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as in to circumvent
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as in to grind
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as in to cheat
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as in blow
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as in pulse
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as in rhythm
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as in minute
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as in tired
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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Entries Near
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
6
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
you beat me to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
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
10
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it beats me how that slipup happened
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
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
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
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
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
can we pick this up tomorrow, because I'm beat?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of beat
Frank Nunns Oconnell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Days later, the Chiefs held the Raiders to three first downs and 95 yards of offense in a 31-0 beat down.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2025
Mel Brooks’ best comedy shares many similarities with his other revered films – a strong grip of genre beats, a non-stop barrage of gags yanking us forward, and an eagerness to give every performer a chance to comedically shine.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
In a miracle from the beat gods, workers on site were able to clear out the piles of debris and construct a new stage to host the fest’s headliners overnight, giving Nervo, Axwell, Martin Garrix, Alok and others a place to perform on night one.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
New York’s backup quarterback was perceived to be responding to comments made by Denver head coach Payton after the Broncos’ dramatic fourth quarter comeback to beat the Giants on Sunday.
—Frank Nunns Oconnell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Days later, the Chiefs held the Raiders to three first downs and 95 yards of offense in a 31-0 beat down.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Amir Mahmoud is a general assignment and transportation beat reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2025
Mel Brooks’ best comedy shares many similarities with his other revered films – a strong grip of genre beats, a non-stop barrage of gags yanking us forward, and an eagerness to give every performer a chance to comedically shine.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Those submissions—we’ve received thousands since this list first launched—are then analyzed and supplemented by reporting from beat journalists at Forbes and Know Your Value.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
In a miracle from the beat gods, workers on site were able to clear out the piles of debris and construct a new stage to host the fest’s headliners overnight, giving Nervo, Axwell, Martin Garrix, Alok and others a place to perform on night one.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
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Some even licked the candy to soften it -- a trick used by contestants in the show.—
Hakyung Kate Lee,
ABC News,
17 Oct. 2025
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Napkins were crumpled; plates were licked.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Glo clearly brought good luck to the game, seeing as the Raptors defeated the Hawks 138-118.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
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In these sparsely populated spaces, the mountain always defeats the human, instilling a deep respect for the environment.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The aquarium met and surpassed its goal to raise the funds for its sea otter conservation program in less than eight hours, averaging about $100,000 in sales every 15 minutes, MacDonald said.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
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And in recent weeks the S & P 500 surpassed 6,666 for the first time, registering a ten-bagger since the financial-crisis bottom of 666 set in March 2009.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s why my leg is throbbing.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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The first movie squeaked by thanks largely to its creation of a CG parallel universe of neon graphics, geometric lines and throbbing grids that was genuinely innovative for its time.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The fastest way to a stressful hosting experience is by micro-managing and trying to do everything yourself, from setting out food and drink to cleaning up to fluttering around to ensure nothing is going wrong.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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There were discussions about the addition of false eyelashes, according to the film’s visual effects makeup artist and creature designer, Mike Hill, but the consensus was that Elordi’s own were long and fluttering enough.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Faye is both highly supportive yet frustrated by the distant Springsteen, who showers her with love before disappearing into his music.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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So when Luise was frustrated by her experiments with canvas one afternoon at MacDowell and threw her scraps into her studio’s fireplace, Morton was there to witness the epiphany that followed.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Robbie's actions target stash houses run by the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang, a deadly turf war erupts, escalating tensions in the city and drawing both law enforcement and criminal factions into a high-stakes battle over control, survival and justice.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
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Payton lost his mind, running onto the field, drawing a penalty.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Marigolds, cascading drapes, and glowing lanterns form a festive canopy of red and gold, blending traditional Indian motifs with the brand’s signature modern aesthetic.—
Mayu Saini,
Footwear News,
18 Oct. 2025
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Staying hydrated with cucumber water may support glowing skin, strong bones, and healthy blood pressure.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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