beat 1 of 5

Definition of beatnext
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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

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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

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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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beat

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adjective (1)

beaten

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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
But prosecutor Von Zamft said Barnett provided no evidence that he was beaten up. Sydney Pereira, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 On Saturday at the O’Connell Center, Auburn took the fight to Florida (14-6, 5-2 SEC), beating the nation’s top rebounding team 19-13 on the boards to build a 43-28 halftime lead before holding on for a 76-67 win. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Credit names, including those of some Markiplier’s collaborators, drew louder reactions than many of the movie’s horror beats. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026 The beat was driven by a 23% increase in power and energy sales. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The multi-beat tapping — like someone testing a mic on loop — sits atop a slow sonic swell and a visual that feels like falling through a tunnel. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025 Tory Burch leaned into a quirky, off-beat palette that felt fresh and full of personality. Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 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
Mashal was beaten by his peers from ten in the morning till three in the afternoon. Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026 Heyman then aired footage from last week when Pearce left a pair of brass knuckles on the floor that Rey Mysterio used to beat Austin Theory. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Noun
  • Reigns flipped Gunther onto the edge of the ring and went for the knockout blow, but it was countered.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
  • After being victimized by a pair of Bulls blow-bys in his initial stint, there was no additional stint, with Jovic instead moved up when Adebayo went out.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Instead of sending information as electrical signals through copper wire, fiber uses strands of ultra-pure glass—each one thinner than a human hair—to carry data as pulses of light.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Unlike traditional copper phone lines that transmit information as electrical signals, fiber-optic cables are tiny bendable strands of glass through which data is sent as photons — lasers emitting pulses of light — at far higher speed, using less energy.
    Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Everyone followed a similar sartorial rhythm, in sheer looks, black sparkles, and some cool-toned mint.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
  • This equates to less time in pre-vacation logistics mode and more time gently falling into the natural rhythms of island life.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Most health authorities recommend that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and at least two days per week of muscle-strengthening activities.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Miles and Marta Suarez scored 15 points each and Donovyn Hunter, whose three-pointer had tied it at 55 in the final minute, added 11 points for TCU (20-3, 8-2).
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • With a light snow falling outside McCamish Pavilion, Henri Veesaar gave North Carolina (17-4, 5-3 ACC) a devastating 1-2 punch on the inside with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Mountain is more of a commuter hill than a destination resort, but its terrain punches well above its weight.
    Brent Rose, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Mountaineers allowed only three field goals in the third, one of them a buzzer-beating layup by Darianna Littlepage-Buggs that made it 47-37 heading to the fourth quarter.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Former detainees and human rights organizations have documented systematic torture and severe abuses inside the facility, including beatings, electric shocks, suspension by limbs, prolonged stress positions and other degrading treatment.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Urged by a fast-talking auctioneer and his familiar cadence, paddles shot up as bids climbed into the four- and five-figure range.
    Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2026
  • SpaceX has spent more than six years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from Florida and California.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But at the top, with clear views of a seemingly endless horizon, Egorov told Outside that the effort was worth every heartbeat.
    Outside, Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
  • For those who monitor their caffeine intake due to health conditions, are pregnant, or have sensitivity to caffeine, consuming caffeine can cause side effects such as jitters, rapid heartbeat, or sleep disruption, per Newsweek.
    Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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