beat 1 of 3

verb

ˈbēt How to pronounce beat (audio)
Definition of beatnext
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine

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2
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over she always beats everyone at checkers, but she's not as good at chess

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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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4
as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute

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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

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6
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal you beat me to it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to draw
to shape with a hammer the medieval artisans who beat iron into exquisite swords

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8
as in to glow
to shine with a bright harsh light the tropical sun beat down on our heads without mercy

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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

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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

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12
as in to grind
to reduce to fine particles years of pounding had beaten the pebbles to a fine dust

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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beat

3 of 3

adjective

as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness can we pick this up tomorrow, because I'm beat?

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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
The surfer team couldn’t handle it, with Servite beating the Chargers 16-6 in the Pac-5 championship game. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Back-to-back home runs by Bregman and Michael Busch during Anderson’s third time through the order put the Cubs in position to beat the Mariners. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
Take a beat to think about the deal before rushing into something that could cost you. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2026 Even today, a quick glance at The Times’ library reveals an almost supernatural ability to blanket a beat. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Since joining the publication, O’Connell had been on THR’s television team, where his role evolved from beat reporter to features TV editor. — Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 Bass began his career as a beat reporter covering feature stories through the mid-80s. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
  1. lick
  2. defeat
  3. surpass
  4. throb
  5. flutter
  6. frustrate
  7. draw
  8. glow
Verb
  • That glib self-confidence is present in McNamara, who licks the doughnut glaze off his fingers before offering his hand to the female detective questioning the one living Jason.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • One act featured two young women sitting on the stage and licking orange Popsicles (yes, that was the whole act).
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Taylor pitched a career-high 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings and was credited with the win as the Sox defeated the Twins 7-4 in front of 28,140.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Senate Leadership Fund, a political committee controlled by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has committed to spending $44 million in Georgia in hopes of defeating Ossoff.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Worth more than world’s 500 richest people combined Entrepreneur Elon Musk made headlines in June when his net worth surpassed $1 trillion after the SpaceX initial public offering.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Monthly trading volumes surpassed $37 billion in July, boosted by the World Cup.
    — Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • No sweating, throbbing headache and skin that’s hot, red and dry are signs of heatstroke.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The first is pique, a sharp, vinegary hot sauce that throbs with the heat of Thai chiles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of throb
Verb
  • These days, Jackson and her drag king character live in Ramsgate, a port town on England’s southeast coast where – much like Pat’s flag – strings of Union Jacks flutter along the harbor.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • During the delay, television cameras captured the Blue Jays waiting and visibly frustrated by the delay, with Scherzer among the players reacting to what was happening.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • North is frustrated with Jasper County officials, specifically the commissioners, for pushing the project through.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • The InnoAsia Startup Demo Jam sits at the center of the first track, with nine companies, drawn from the open call and international partner recommendations, pitching AI, virtual production and digital-asset technologies to investors and buyers.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The costume and the posture of the model in the photo drew comparisons online to images of the racist theatrical character Jim Crow, a staple in blackface minstrel shows, which dehumanized Black people.
    — Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of draw
Verb
  • For a bold and vibrant fall hair transformation, consider colors with warm tones that add depth and glow to your look.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026
  • On Broadway, these glow like amber beacons, alas offering a respite from the darkness that best serves what Holloway and Barrett are trying to do.
    — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow

Phrases Containing beat

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beasts
beat
beat a retreat
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Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beat

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