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
In Nelson’s second season, Milwaukee overcame a 29-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Atlanta 117-115 in regulation. — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 Which means The Odyssey has beat Avatar to become the highest-grossing Imax film ever, too. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
There’s a smooth clarity to most of these songs, which grants different textures and dimensions to even Lyseight’s most restrained beats. — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026 It gets said at dinner tables and on cable panels, a beat before someone announces that what this country really needs is a third party. — Andy Craig, Washington Post, 3 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
  • Her entire face got licked clean off her head when suburban floodwaters breached the cardboard hull protecting Kath’s basement memorabilia stack a few months before I was born.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s truly nothing like licking that paper lid, then shoveling that tiny tongue depressor into a child-sized serving of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Martínez was a headache to both pitchers, hitting a grand slam against Sandlin and finishing with a career-high six RBIs as the Guardians defeated the Sox 8-2.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But the technology for defeating ballistic missiles has advanced significantly since the Cold War.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • With the first movie becoming Blumhouse’s biggest opening ever in 2023, despite a theatrical day-and-date on Peacock, followed by last year’s sequel breaking multiple box office records, the franchise has surpassed $530M globally.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Solar generation surged again in 2025 and, for the first time, surpassed wind as a source of global electricity.
    — Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • 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
  • There have been plenty of times when my feet throbbed after hours of sightseeing.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026
Definition of throb
Verb
  • All around them, guests smiled and laughed as children screamed with excitement and giggled each time a butterfly fluttered close.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Young people fluttered about, wearing custom white T-shirts emblazoned with the festival’s retro cartoon-style poster art.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • Two-thirds of Americans are open to a new agenda and are frustrated with the status quo.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But if the customer leaves frustrated, confused, or forced to restart with a different channel, the automation didn't succeed.
    — Amit Mathradas, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • The proposal, approved during a rare summer special session, would place before voters in November a constitutional amendment that clarifies how Maryland‘s congressional districts are drawn.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The regulations, which were approved in June, define hyperscale data centers as those that occupy more than 250,000 gross square feet or draw more than 75 megawatts of power from the electric grid.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of draw
Verb
  • Her glowing skin, minimal makeup, and refined hairstyle helped define an ideal of beauty that has endured for generations.
    — Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After all the glowing testaments to his character, the apartment was startlingly nondescript.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beat

Nglish: Translation of beat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beat

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