Synonyms of beat
-
as in to lick 
-
as in to defeat
-
as in to surpass
-
as in to throb
-
as in to flutter
-
as in to frustrate
-
as in to draw
-
as in to glow
-
as in to drum
-
as in to confuse
-
as in to circumvent
-
as in to grind
-
as in to cheat
-
as in blow
-
as in pulse
-
as in rhythm
-
as in minute
-
as in tired
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
The Mustangs hung with California power Crean Lutheran for three quarters in their season opener, then beat Castle View 30-13 a week later behind a salty defensive effort.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
The freshman scored seven goals and added two steals as Hillsdale beat Carlmont 14-8.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
In a miracle from the beat gods, workers on site were able to clear out the piles of debris and construct a new stage to host the fest’s headliners overnight, giving Nervo, Axwell, Martin Garrix, Alok and others a place to perform on night one.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
Add in risk factors like smoking, obesity, and family history, and pancreatic cancer becomes a tough opponent to beat.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
The Mustangs hung with California power Crean Lutheran for three quarters in their season opener, then beat Castle View 30-13 a week later behind a salty defensive effort.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Speedy running back De’Von Achane beat linebacker Robert Spillane for a touchdown on a 29-yard catch and run.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
The freshman scored seven goals and added two steals as Hillsdale beat Carlmont 14-8.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Those submissions—we’ve received thousands since this list first launched—are then analyzed and supplemented by reporting from beat journalists at Forbes and Know Your Value.
—Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
In a miracle from the beat gods, workers on site were able to clear out the piles of debris and construct a new stage to host the fest’s headliners overnight, giving Nervo, Axwell, Martin Garrix, Alok and others a place to perform on night one.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
-
That could look like gliding your fingers down them, kissing, licking, or gently biting those areas.—
Essence,
Essence,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Go from the base to the tip with your tongue, kiss it, lick it and remember most of us have difficulties cumming just with oral.—
Ian Kumamoto,
Them.,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023-24, Jones had a career year for the Mavericks, who were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Employee health costs are likely to surpass $5,000 next year as companies see their biggest cost increases in at least five years, according to projections from Aon.—
Bruce Japsen,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
During their 27-18 victory over the Commanders at Lambeau Field, however, the Packers surpassed Parsons’ best-case scenario.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even with a relatively small sample size, the anomaly stuck out like a giant, red, throbbing sore thumb — a favorite gag in animation.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Portugal’s coastline throbs with beach goers and sports enthusiasts.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Later, Tom pours vodka into a Phillies cup and watches birds flutter by at night while Robbie gets his guns ready and shakes down a trap house.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In the Lower West Side of Chicago, music blared and green, white and red flags fluttered down the streets of the predominantly Latino Pilsen neighborhood on Saturday as crowds gathered for the start of Mexican Independence Day celebrations.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ciccone was frustrated to find research was largely focused on boys.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Las Vegas, Netflix’s Canelo v Crawford Fight Night drew everyone from Mike Tyson and Tracy Morgan to Chance the Rapper, with Terence Crawford leaving the night victorious.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Robinson, a third-year student in an electrical apprenticeship program who grew up in the small suburban community of Washington, Utah, was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt that drew national attention and fueled a wave of misinformation online.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the headphones, meant to unify the audience in a shared soundscape, instead isolate viewers into their glowing silos, which feels like an ironic choice for a show supposedly about communal grief.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As the glowing waning gibbous moon rose over center field, the Red Sox went quietly into the night one last time in the bottom of the ninth.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share