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
The rookie made history, clubbing a 368-foot, two-run shot to right field to become the first player to hit three home runs in his major-league debut as the Cardinals beat the Cubs 8-4. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler each hit two-run homers, Tommy White had his first major league homer and the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
The group moved to the beat in a slow circle, with Cordell at the center. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Bulldogs best of the SEC The beat goes on for Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. — Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 17 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
  • Later, a woman protractedly licks blue ice cream from a cone, her attempts thwarted by ferocious gusts of wind and sand.
    — Matilda Hague, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Griffin diligently washes his hands after his dogs lick them, especially before picking up a slice of pizza.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Beyer won the Democratic nomination the same day, defeating four challengers and securing roughly 68% of the vote.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But the superhero family eventually regains public sympathy for superheroes after defeating the evil Screenslaver (voiced by Catherine Keener).
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Reuters — The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2,325 people, government data showed on Sunday, surpassing the toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak to become the deadliest in the country’s history.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The state has added an impressive amount of solar power and battery energy storage in recent years, surpassing more than 21,000 megawatts of battery capacity, the largest such fleet in the nation, according to the Energy Commission.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 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
  • These days, Jackson and her drag king character live in Ramsgate, a port town on England’s southeast coast where – much like Pat’s flag – strings of Union Jacks flutter along the harbor.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For Arbaeen, the lights inside the shrine and the flags fluttering from its golden dome are switched to red – the color of vengeance.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of flutter
Verb
  • During the joint practices against Tampa Bay, Bailey frustrated the Buccaneers’ offensive line with his lightning-fast speed off the edge, along with his penchant for consistently getting into the backfield.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Daron Acemoglu is frustrated by the artificial intelligence debate — and not because the MIT economist thinks the technology is dangerous.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • South Florida's congressional races are also drawing attention following redistricting.
    — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Anthony, out since May with a torn finger ligament, appeared in his first rehab game for Double-A Portland on Tuesday, crushing a two-run homer while also drawing two walks and adding a single as DH.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of draw
Verb
  • Matalyn Chitwood graduated from Spring Hill High School in 2023 with a glowing report card.
    — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When entertaining, the formal dining room—glowing in gold—can seat up to 20 at a custom Brazilian onyx table.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 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 19 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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