beat 1 of 3

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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

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beat

2 of 3

noun

1
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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

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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

beat

3 of 3

adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
  • Some even licked the candy to soften it -- a trick used by contestants in the show.
    Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Napkins were crumpled; plates were licked.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Glo clearly brought good luck to the game, seeing as the Raptors defeated the Hawks 138-118.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • That’s why my leg is throbbing.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Payton lost his mind, running onto the field, drawing a penalty.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Staying hydrated with cucumber water may support glowing skin, strong bones, and healthy blood pressure.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025

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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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