Definition of beatnext
1
2
3
4
as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

beat

2 of 3

noun

1
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

beat

3 of 3

adjective

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
Swarms of police officers descended from helicopters and beat them with billy clubs and metal shields. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Jasper County was ahead of you in the region standings, ranked in the Top 10, and the Hurricanes beat you soundly last year. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
Toliver remembers fifth-grade choir, and the other kids who would get together after class to make beats and rap. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026 Such gorgeous, dangerous instruments, the sharp, sharp beat of heels, not just cogs but the machine itself, a mechanism of desire. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Identifying the problems that plague a team is part of a beat writer’s job. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 28 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
  • Carter is licking his wounds after the rest of the tribe sent Ana home in a blindside.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Typically, only a low-value male resorts to this behavior, turning to foot-licking as the easiest way to ingratiate himself with women.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Trump’s appearance in San Antonio comes as Republicans fight to keep Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico from defeating Paxton.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Unfortunately, the same forces that defeated previous permitting reform packages — primarily left-wing interest groups — are threatening to smother this legislation.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • For Tom Ford, which just surpassed that significant $1 billion milestone, Hertzmark Hudis highlighted how the company has successfully continued its legacy after the designer stepped away.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Muse has surpassed 5 million downloads, with more than 3 million weekly active users.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Her voice, usually an attention-demanding force, is detached from the throbbing production.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Just two days later, Aitia was sitting in class when his newly pierced ear began throbbing with pain.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Yellow caution tape fluttered in the wind as water poured into a room strewn with wooden debris, an upturned refrigerator and a television.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Out in the garden, living butterflies flutter among orchids and flowering shrubs, some landing in butterfly traps hanging from the trees.
    — Sophie Neiman, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • For the second time in as many Big 12 games, Kansas’ football team played well enough to frustrate the opposition but not well enough to win.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The official said that Rubio had grown increasingly frustrated as the reports multiplied.
    — Matthew Lee, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Tia’s captivating live performance won over the audience and seasoned industry professionals alike, drawing a prolonged standing ovation at the end of the show.
    — Billboard China, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The transaction was scuttled two months later after OpenAI shut down Sora, which had drawn a host of legal complaints alleging copyright violation.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Happily, though, the Gulf Coast sunsets here will glow all year round.
    — Harriet Elton, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • On one, Basquiat made the figure menacing, with glowing red eyes, while another iteration appears almost nervous.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on beat

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!