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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Evander scored a go-ahead goal from distance in the 82nd minute and Cincinnati beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 on Saturday night in a game delayed over two hours due to weather. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Fishlock slipped behind Bay’s back line in the 85th minute and beat goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz 1-on-1 to restore Seattle’s lead for good. — Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 2 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
  • Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 19, admitted to licking the straw and returning it to the vending machine while recording the act for his online followers.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • That means no tasting cookie dough made with raw eggs, no licking brownie batter off the beaters, and no homemade Caesar dressing made with uncooked yolks.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Without Toney, the Chiefs may not have defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • After a topsy-turvy road trip in which the team split six games, the Braves defeated the Nationals again Friday night, 6-2.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • To get there, oil may need to surpass $150 – well beyond its all-time high.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The addition of Skubal further safeguards them at a time when Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are working their way back from injuries and Justin Wrobleski has already surpassed his career high in innings.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 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
  • Iran was also frustrated that financial promises under the deal – including the release of billions of frozen assets – didn't materialize, and now the American blockade is back in place.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike traditional resort fees that can surprise or frustrate travelers, these purchases are optional and connected to a guest’s needs.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 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
  • While only a handful appear each hour before the shower reaches maximum activity, early Perseids are known for producing vivid green fireballs and long-lasting glowing trails.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Despite glowing reviews and fans begging for its release, a film industry dominated by political correctness refused to touch it.
    — William Earl, Variety, 30 July 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 5 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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