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 pounded
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as in defeated
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as in surpassed
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as in pulsed
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as in fluttered
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as in baffled
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as in forged
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as in burned
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as in drummed
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as in puzzled
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as in escaped
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as in crushed
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as in cheated
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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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as in exhausted
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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
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
as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
felt beaten after three months of 90-hour workweeks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or beat
1
as in pounded
to strike repeatedly
they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in defeated
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 surpassed
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
as in pulsed
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in fluttered
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 baffled
to prevent from achieving a goal
you beat me to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in forged
to shape with a hammer
the medieval artisans who beat iron into exquisite swords
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in burned
to shine with a bright harsh light
the tropical sun beat down on our heads without mercy
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in drummed
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
beat the drum in a marching rhythm
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in puzzled
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it beats me how that slipup happened
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in escaped
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
as in crushed
to reduce to fine particles
years of pounding had beaten the pebbles to a fine dust
Synonyms & Similar Words
13
as in cheated
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of beat
Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
In the near term, the overriding goal is to beat the Chinese to the lunar surface.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2026
Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Eventually, amid depth-charge bass blasts and Spikeheart’s death-metal growls, a beat assembles itself, at first vaguely trap-like, then closer in spirit to UK funky.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Shopping around Macy’s beat Wall Street’s top- and bottom-line expectations for the third quarter this morning, posting its strongest growth in more than three years.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Fold in beaten eggs, pepper, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.
4.
—Laura Dave, People.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
As passengers straggled out of the airport into the dark early Monday, some described having arrived at LaGuardia hours before their flight, hoping to beat the lines.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly’s snap shot from the high slot that beat Ducks goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
In the near term, the overriding goal is to beat the Chinese to the lunar surface.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
The plot centered on a choice between ambition and friendship, and the emotional beats hold up years later.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Eventually, amid depth-charge bass blasts and Spikeheart’s death-metal growls, a beat assembles itself, at first vaguely trap-like, then closer in spirit to UK funky.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Past that, the Xavier school looks pretty beat to hell in the scenes before that.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Shopping around Macy’s beat Wall Street’s top- and bottom-line expectations for the third quarter this morning, posting its strongest growth in more than three years.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Off the beaten track, where the fuzz won’t think to look.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Fold in beaten eggs, pepper, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.
4.
—Laura Dave, People.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
After not playing in 2024 due to injury and struggling in 2025, McCarthy will have to beat Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray for the starting job this year.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
As passengers straggled out of the airport into the dark early Monday, some described having arrived at LaGuardia hours before their flight, hoping to beat the lines.
—Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Noun
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Virginia made one last push, cutting TCU’s lead to 65-55, but the Horned Frogs quickly delivered the knockout blow as Miles knocked down a 3 and Suarez hit sophomore center Clara Silva for a layup to end Virginia’s hopes of another upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Israeli military later said raw materials are processed for enrichment at the Yazd plant and the strike was a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program.—
Farnoush Amiri,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But football remains the pulse of her life.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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His presence alone drastically shifts ratings, narratives, and the emotional pulse of the event.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Fland had difficulty establish his role and rhythm during nonconference play.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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While Fisher’s athleticism leaves a lot to be desired, his high IQ and ability to diagnose from the middle make up for athletic limitations with an extra step on breaking up an offensive rhythm.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Seven stacks of tiny paper cups were arranged to the left, next to packets of Nescafé, pouches of two-minute noodles, and a double gas burner connected to the cylinder—the main tool of his trade.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The dinky port town of Antiparos, with a strip of cute shops, cafes, and unpretentious restaurants, is a ten-minute drive.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Here’s where the viral clip gets its real punch.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
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Our expert take The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Then, to add insult to injury, the Cavaliers carried a 109-87 lead into the fourth when Cleveland’s Evan Mobley ended the third quarter with a successful 32-foot buzzer-beating heave.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
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He and Flores also are accused of ordering kidnappings, beatings and murders of those who owed them drug money or undermined their trafficking operation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The phrase had the cadence of a punchline without a joke, and people kept repeating it.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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The track treads with a cautious cadence through its first verse and refrain, then pauses.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Such hair-thin probes can measure heartbeat, oxygen saturation and temperature in real time.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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Catheterization is used to look for structural issues that could cause conditions like clogged arteries, irregular heartbeat and pulmonary hypertension.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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