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
Had the Broncos beaten the Chiefs in Kansas City or upset Cincinnati on national TV in overtime, Nix would be viewed closer to Jayden Daniels. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025 Son led Tottenham to the Europa League title, beating Manchester United in Bilbao, Spain, in May, for the club’s first trophy in 17 years. Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
With a nearly 30% beat on its second-quarter net profits of $1.63 billion announced Aug. 5, BP’s net income spiked from a year-on-year loss of $129 million, which compares to BP’s full-year net profit for 2024 of just $381 million. Jordan Blum, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025 The man who once provided motivation through trap beats and raw lyrics is now providing it through hands-on mentorship and workshops. Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
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 Columnists like The Denver Post’s Troy Renck and Sean Keeler can do that, but not a beat writer. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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 Chee mashes the kernels with beaten egg, salt and a flourish of sugar that brings the flavor into focus but leaves no trace of sweetness. Ligaya Mishan Esther Choi, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2022
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 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
  • 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
Noun
  • There is no sign of a pulse at the Justice Department or the Federal Trade Commission, so the time is right.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
  • An artist with a pulse on the odd, the offbeat and just plain strange, Burton had for decades been approached about fashioning Charles Addams’ celebrated New Yorker drawings into his sphere.
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The center of attention will be the heart-pounding rhythms of Fushu Daiko’s taiko drumming shows, with three performances scheduled each day at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Morikami Theater.
    Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
  • As for the rest of the offense, which has struggled to find a rhythm in training camp, this week's joint practices with the Miami Dolphins in Allen Park should answer some questions.
    Christian Romo, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Suarez then curled in a gorgeous cross to De Paul that the Argentine newcomer tucked away, marking his first goal since joining the Herons and negating Pumas attacker Jorge Ruvalcaba’s opener 11 minutes earlier.
    Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Wise had already entered the Capitol through a door that was forced open, exiting about 10 minutes later through a broken window, according to charging documents.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The wolf was quite literally at the door of the blue house on Highway 49 in Sierra County, tearing apart an elk on the front porch as the college-age son of the owner sat alone inside, listening to the thumps and snarls and hoping the latch was secure.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson give this team just enough thump to be dangerous.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Good morning, The Padres last night took their worst beating at Petco Park since before last year’s All-Star break.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The update comes the same day all six individuals arrested in connection with the viral beating in downtown Cincinnati have been indicted by a grand jury and are facing additional charges.
    Julia Bonavita , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In a world where threats emerge by the minute and regulations evolve constantly, this cadence is inadequate.
    Leo Patching, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Pascal plays Ezra, the verbal member of the duo, whose swagger and cowboy cadence are a surefire signifier of impending shoot-outs.
    EW.com, EW.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • According to medical records, the former pro wrestler had a history of leukemia and atrial fibrillation, a common disorder that causes irregular heartbeats.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Seeking immediate medical attention if a wound becomes red, swollen, oozes pus, or shows other signs of infection such as fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, confusion, or disorientation.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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