1
as in attire
dressy clothing
the family wore their best to the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elite
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
only the best will go on to the finals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to worst
to achieve a victory over
at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of best
Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
While it isn't favored to win best picture, it's been gaining momentum and could well pull off an upset.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli don their red-carpet-best at the FOX Upfront Red Carpet on May 11 in New York City.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
On Wednesday, Variety projected that Backrooms is projected to open with anywhere from $40 million to $50 million in North American ticket sales this weekend, which easily bests the record opening of A24’s Civil War, which earned $25 million in its first Friday to Sunday frame in 2024.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Adjective
The duo won Oscars for best picture, director and original screenplay.
—Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
While it isn't favored to win best picture, it's been gaining momentum and could well pull off an upset.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
As a result, while most of the athletes at the three divisional meets county-wide were hoping for personal bests, there were still those who used the meet to simply qualify and live for another week.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli don their red-carpet-best at the FOX Upfront Red Carpet on May 11 in New York City.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Verb
The pro-hockey Mavericks, who swept their first two playoff series of the postseason, were bested by the Fort Wayne Komets in Game 2 of this series — the Western Conference Finals.
—Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
On Wednesday, Variety projected that Backrooms is projected to open with anywhere from $40 million to $50 million in North American ticket sales this weekend, which easily bests the record opening of A24’s Civil War, which earned $25 million in its first Friday to Sunday frame in 2024.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
The style is tasteful and refined; silk scarves, leather loafers, and chic blazers are typical attire.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The day brings indigenous Andean music, colorful traditional attire and historical re-enactments of Inca ceremonies.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The backstory The story begins with notorious playboy Huntington Hartford II, heir to the A&P empire, who set out to develop his own resort for the jet-setting elite on what was then known as Hog Island—Hartford successfully petitioned the Bahamian government to change its name.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
-
Interestingly, Mother has visibly grown more human over her decades of consuming brain fluid, while the elites who drink her blood have grown more monstrous.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Round it out with a stylish Béis belt bag to keep airport essentials close at hand, leaving you no excuse to hold up security, knowing the coveted carry is just under $30.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Zaya Wade is one stylish teenager!—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The scene was genuinely awful to watch, but the movie—a story of plague, passion, period costumes, and an unwashed man in a tunic skipping town to cure writer’s block—ended up thrilling us; the portrayal of two creative minds working together (and apart) was, oddly, familiar.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Fans wear ruffled shirts, eye patches and other period costume elements at concerts, which are high-energy and theatrical and adorned with skulls and crossbones, tricorn hats, and anchors.—
Sofia Goldstein,
SPIN,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Hulst would start in a hilly stretch of Laguna Beach, charge up one hill, then run at the top to the next block, down that street, run another block and sprint up that street, repeating the process up and down 31 hills.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
First baseman Rafael Devers reached base three times with two hits and a walk, driving in a run in the top of the ninth with his first triple since July 28, 2024.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and agribusiness lobbies do not need to defeat MAHA in public debate.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
But environmentalists and other stakeholders said giving too many concessions to fossil fuel interests would defeat the program’s purpose, which is to drive down emissions along a pathway consistent with what scientists say could preserve a recognizable climate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Michter’s has spent years proving that rye can also be elegant, balanced, and surprisingly approachable, and its latest 10 Year Rye release continues that mission.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
In Palm Beach, Florida, Jelly Roll performs at his Little ASS Shed Tour, while in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner look elegant as ever in black and white outfits.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
For his bravery, Liam was presented with a certificate, a Baltimore County Police plastic badge, and a plastic police officer duckie in front of his class at Honeygo Elementary School, alongside his principal, the school's student resource officer, and his mom.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
The guide who accompanies you will happily memorialize your bravery (and your love) with the obligatory kissing shots along the way.—
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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