Synonyms of beat
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as in to lick 
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as in to defeat
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as in to surpass
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as in to throb
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as in to flutter
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as in to frustrate
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as in to draw
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as in to glow
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as in to drum
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as in to confuse
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as in to circumvent
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as in to grind
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as in to cheat
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as in blow
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as in pulse
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as in rhythm
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as in minute
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as in tired
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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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
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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
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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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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.
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Recent Examples of beat
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
Nothing beats a flattering linen dress for the summer.
—Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
For Rihanna’s 3rd Annual Diamond Ball in 2017, Lil’ Kim continued the matte beauty beat trend, pairing it with finger wave-like curls, seconded by her 2019 BET Awards look.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 11 July 2025
Lourdes Rosado, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025
While anyone can enjoy listening to albums or 45s on the go, KORG also includes a wide range of features aimed at DJs, including playback speed adjustment, a beat looper (which gives the ability to layer scratches over a beat loop), filters, a fader and delay effects.
—Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
Without Adams and Sliwa dropping out, Cuomo has little shot to beat Mamdani.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
Nothing beats a flattering linen dress for the summer.
—Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Noun
Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s double to right rolled all the way to the warning track, and the throw beat Spencer Horwitz at the plate, but Twins catcher Christian Vasquez could not field the ball cleanly.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 July 2025
For Rihanna’s 3rd Annual Diamond Ball in 2017, Lil’ Kim continued the matte beauty beat trend, pairing it with finger wave-like curls, seconded by her 2019 BET Awards look.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 11 July 2025
Adjective
Rivera climbed into Feliz’s car; threatened, beat, and tased him, and then shot him in the chest point blank.
—Lourdes Rosado, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025
While anyone can enjoy listening to albums or 45s on the go, KORG also includes a wide range of features aimed at DJs, including playback speed adjustment, a beat looper (which gives the ability to layer scratches over a beat loop), filters, a fader and delay effects.
—Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
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The Boston Celtics are still licking their wounds following the heartbreaking end to the 2024-25 NBA season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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And Lil Wayne agrees by licking my face, which is part of the job description for companion dogs.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 2024 World Series four games to one.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 in what was judged to be Nigeria's fairest election to date.—
Benjamin Ezeamalu,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Interest payments are now the second-largest spending category in the federal budget, surpassing Medicare and defense in fiscal year 2024 and trailing only Social Security.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
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As of Thursday afternoon, about 50 companies listed under the S&P had reported earnings for the second-quarter, and 88% of them surpassed projections, data show.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Financial markets throbbed with a panoply of new financial institutions — hedge funds — trading new financial instruments — derivative securities — the values of which were tied to still other financial instruments like home mortgages.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
11 May 2025
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Batteries of loudspeakers throbbed with a song whose refrain has become a catchphrase for those who want Mr. Yoon ousted.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Their small pink petals flutter every time there’s a breeze.—
Stephanie Lam,
Mercury News,
2 July 2025
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The homeowner's Stars and Stripes, which was fluttering on the flagpole beside the entrance, was tangled.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Huda then confided in Amaya, claiming the chain of events the night before went a bit differently than was shown, but she, too, was frustrated.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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Herman was particularly frustrated with Comcast upload speeds, which are much slower than the cable service's download speeds.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 July 2025
Verb
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South Korea's older workers are facing steep wage cuts and insecure work conditions simply for staying on the job past a certain age—a reality drawing criticism from rights groups.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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However, until President Trump drew a line in the sand and demanded that NATO members increase their spending — or else — those other countries continued to freeride.—
Michelle Flowers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, glows with buildings carved from Villamayor sandstone that shimmer like honey under the basking Castilian rays.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Its tools have been quirky designs and glowing lights, along with a focus on markets outside the US.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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