beat 1 of 5

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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

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beat

2 of 5

noun

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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

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beat

3 of 5

adjective (1)

beaten

5 of 5

verb (2)

variants or beat
past participle of beat
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as in pulsed
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
In this example against Empoli, he is initially beaten by Emmanuel Gyasi, but uses his body to muscle him off the ball and end the danger. Andy Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 Pellegrini’s single to left scored Brian Palazzolo, who was beaten by the throw but slid in safely with a crafty slide as his teammates moved into scoring position. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
All the different tempos, rhythms, and beats naturally invoke emotions. Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 21 Aug. 2025 In my experience, speed to learning beats polish every time. Kevin Brady, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Dozens of beat cops, tactical officers and sergeants stood talking inside yellow tape. Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025 That’s a beat rate of 93%, well above the 20-year average beat rate of 63%, Bespoke Investment Group data shows. Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Adjective
Dredge the egg whites: Take each egg white half and dredge it in flour, gently shaking off the excess before dipping it in the beaten egg. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2023 Remove and discard plastic wrap from rolls, and gently brush tops of rolls with some of the beaten egg. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Verb
The man had been severely beaten with a baseball bat and was suffering from injuries to his face and arm, federal authorities said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025 If Liverpool beat Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday, the Carabao Cup will be Slot’s first trophy since replacing Jurgen Klopp nine months ago. Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Noun
  • The Postal Savings Bank, established in 1911, softened the blow of the Great Depression for millions, before being killed by the big banks in 1967.
    Mark Dimondstein, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The expiration of the enhanced subsidies will also deal a major blow to Covered Connecticut, a program that provides no-cost exchange plans to residents who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but still earn 175% or less than the federal poverty level.
    Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The survey sought to assess the public pulse of restoring pumas in Eastern states except for Florida (which has its own panther population).
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Founded by Brooklyn native and entrepreneur Mr. Rugs, the space bridges the pulse of New York’s hustle with the rhythm of Atlanta’s culture.
    Jewel Wicker, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In 1971, his brother Tom — the group’s rhythm guitarist — departed on unhappy terms.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • This is because travel across time zones disrupts the body’s circadian rhythms, those natural patterns that regulate sleep, energy, digestion and other processes.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Abrego Garcia's attorney Sean Hecker told The Tennessean minutes after 2 p.m. Aug. 22 that Abrego Garcia was set free from the Putnam County Jail and on his way to Maryland.
    Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Collins brings some thump to the four spot at no cost after next season.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Also, there's a heavy-duty undercarriage with twin wheels, showing that it is designed for carrier operations where the fighter tends to land on the deck with a pretty hard thump.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • From dirty pets to messy kids to kitchen mishaps, hardwood floors can take a daily beating.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
  • This can involve slapping, beating, or punching the carpet to create a manual vibration, or by using a tool such as an orbital buffer or the butt end of a drill to agitate the fibers.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Hawke has to sustain the rhythm and cadence of long speeches.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2025
  • How To Find The Right Laundry Schedule Finding the right cadence for your laundry routine will be unique to your family’s needs, says LaLonde.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities.
    American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • That’s usually where the heartbeat of your brand lives.
    Vivek Anand Oberoi, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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