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
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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
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10
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it beats me how that slipup happened
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Her family said Robert had allegedly beaten Giuffre during a family trip in January, which left her with severe injuries.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 2 May 2025
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025
Hernández Rojas died in May 2010 after federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry beat, Tased and knelt on him.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Amanda Seyfried will star in the series which follows a beat cop working as the opioid crisis grips the streets of Philadelphia.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
According to the Almanac, summer 2024 was also Earth’s hottest summer since global records began in 1880 and this year could beat that record.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Her family said Robert had allegedly beaten Giuffre during a family trip in January, which left her with severe injuries.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
Pair it with linen pants and espadrilles for a sightseeing day, then transition to sunset cocktails without missing a beat.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025
Hernández Rojas died in May 2010 after federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry beat, Tased and knelt on him.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Adjective
In season two, when Mike White’s series decamped to Sicily, the credits riffed on Italian frescoes that got increasingly debauched — with a beat drop from opera to EDM.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Amanda Seyfried will star in the series which follows a beat cop working as the opioid crisis grips the streets of Philadelphia.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
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She even, no joke, at one point, spits on the stage and licks it back up.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2025
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When the family's roast dinner was over, the OP (original poster) set the plates and some pots and pans on the floor for her dog to lick.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His last loss came in January 2019, when Geoff Neal defeated him via decision.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Perhaps their most memorable face-off came in 2021, when Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers famously defeated Patrick and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Saturday’s 37-point defeat marks the Heat’s most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history, surpassing a 36-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on June 11, 2013.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2025
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That digital reaction surpassed even the volume of content that flooded the internet after the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump last summer.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Migraines commonly cause dizziness, nausea, throbbing pain on one side of the head and increased sensitivity to light.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
21 Feb. 2025
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Wrist and arm pain: Carpal tunnel syndrome causes throbbing or burning pain in the wrists, certain fingers, and hands.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While some birds can flutter in place momentarily, the hummingbird can hover in one place for an extended period, fly forward or backward, and move at an incredible speed.—
Ernie Cowan,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Less enjoyable: being assaulted by the insects that are fluttering around the porch lights, just waiting for an opportunity to be ushered indoors.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Restaurateur Tasha Cyril is sometimes frustrated by the popularity of the turkey wings at her scene-centric Buckhead bar and lounge.—
Mike Jordan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
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Businesses operating in the world of crypto are frustrated that the same hasn’t happened yet for their industry.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The exhibition draws inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book, Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
1 May 2025
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May Day typically draws rallies and protests in support of labor, living wages and working conditions.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Verb
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With its lightweight texture, glowing finish, and ability to safeguard against sun damage and hyperpigmentation, this has all the makings of a universally appealing sunscreen—and has quickly become a staple in my skin-care rotation.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
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The glowing pink nebula and snakelike dark clouds are the remnant of the birth site of the stars in the cluster.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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