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
Dr. Deepika Chopra, Flow Space, 16 June 2026
During enslavement, physical violence, such as being beaten with whips, was used to control Black bodies.
—Nia Dumas, NPR, 16 June 2026
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Ever see a musician extracting freaky beats from a drum of vibrating milk while surrounded by thousands of funerary urns?
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Those who were laid off include Caroline O’Donovan, the Post’s beat reporter covering Amazon.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
Cortisol and adrenaline flood the body, inducing the heart to beat faster, blood pressure to rise, senses to heighten—all to prepare our body for fight or flight.
—Dr. Deepika Chopra, Flow Space, 16 June 2026
During enslavement, physical violence, such as being beaten with whips, was used to control Black bodies.
—Nia Dumas, NPR, 16 June 2026
Noun
Analysts not only expect the stock to rebound into earnings next month, but said that the aerospace and defense conglomerate is more likely to deliver a beat-and-raise quarter than its peers.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Ever see a musician extracting freaky beats from a drum of vibrating milk while surrounded by thousands of funerary urns?
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Adjective
Bass began his career as a beat reporter covering feature stories through the mid-80s.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Those who were laid off include Caroline O’Donovan, the Post’s beat reporter covering Amazon.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
-
Bring along a friend who wouldn’t be able to indulge in these kinds of finger-licking treats otherwise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
-
The image of the students as vivisectors, committed to extracting the hearts and licking the bones of the transgressors in their midst, seems to mirror her own hatred of the university’s tendency toward frenzied analysis.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The Sooners clinched their CWS appearance by defeating the Kansas Jayhawks twice in the Lawrence Super Regional.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
-
On Thursday, spurred on by most of the 80,824 fans in attendance and forwards Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, Mexico managed to defeat South Africa 2-0 and securing its first opening match victory.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
None of the Senate candidates surpassed the 50% threshold required to win, and Ossoff and Warnock headed to a January 2021 runoff against their Republican opponents.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
JioHotstar surpassed $1 billion in revenue last year and is on track to surpass YouTube in total revenue by year’s end.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
My calves and thighs often throbbed, my waist ached and my knees swelled.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The piece has to throb and, well, that is not the first verb that comes to mind in director Jonathan Butterell’s production, with all due respect for the sincerity of the effort and the intermittent effectiveness of the storytelling.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
The two were often seen with what appeared to be unwashed, exposed roots that fluttered into beach waves down their backs.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
-
Roswell visitors spent the weekend surrounded by fluttering wings, native plants, and hands-on learning as the Chattahoochee Nature Center kicked off its annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The move royally frustrated Senate Republicans.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Who wouldn’t be frustrated after watching a team leave more than 30 runners on base over the last few days?—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
But a World Cup viewing party at the El Jardin restaurant drew a trio of Swiss fans to watch as their country took on Qatar just up the road in Santa Clara.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Brunson continued his magnificent game with a drive that drew a foul, sinking both free throws to cut the lead down to two with five minutes to go.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante embarks on a nationwide quest to find the nation’s most bizarre and dangerous alien sharks – from glowing swell sharks to elusive sawfish – proving the ultimate shark adventure is right here at home.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
-
The speakeasy-style room glows with a gold-leaf ceiling, ochre velvet sofas, and an extravagant cocktail menu.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
