1
as in pulse
a rhythmic expanding and contracting
he wears a pacemaker to help maintain a regular beating of his heart
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defeat
failure to win a contest
took a beating and ended up in second place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pounding
to strike repeatedly
they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in defeating
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 exceeding
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 throbbing
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in flapping
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 frustrating
to prevent from achieving a goal
you beat me to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in drawing
to shape with a hammer
the medieval artisans who beat iron into exquisite swords
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in burning
to shine with a bright harsh light
the tropical sun beat down on our heads without mercy
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in tapping
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
beat the drum in a marching rhythm
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in baffling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it beats me how that slipup happened
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in circumventing
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 grinding
to reduce to fine particles
years of pounding had beaten the pebbles to a fine dust
Synonyms & Similar Words
13
as in cheating
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beating
Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
Stories of the violence committed under Burge — including beatings, electric shock, suffocation with typewriter covers and games of Russian roulette — proved to have a long reach.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Valencia moved further away from the relegation zone by beating midtable Osasuna 1-0 with Largie Ramazani's second-half goal.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beating
Noun
There’s also niacinamide to strengthen your skin barrier, which tends to take a major beating in the winter.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
Stories of the violence committed under Burge — including beatings, electric shock, suffocation with typewriter covers and games of Russian roulette — proved to have a long reach.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
The current Knicks got a bit of a statement win at The Garden early Sunday, beating UConn’s Stephon Castle and the Spurs, 114-89.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Valencia moved further away from the relegation zone by beating midtable Osasuna 1-0 with Largie Ramazani's second-half goal.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beating
Noun
-
Vampy lips, baby-doll blush and flapper hair brought a dynamic beauty pulse to the 32nd annual Actor Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles, where actors, A-lister, writers and producers gathered to honor the best of the best in film and television from 2025.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The stagger still doesn’t quite work against rosters with a pulse.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For Jorgen Strand Larsen, that is somewhat true, having played well in most of his six games, including scoring twice on his home debut in the 3-2 defeat by Burnley last month.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Wizards only lost one game to a Colorado Class 5A opponent all year, a 47-45 defeat to Air Academy back in December.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just around the corner from Cheryl Schulz’s ice cream shop in downtown Noblesville, there’s pounding noises that could only come from heavy construction machinery.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Drone footage captured the heart-pounding rescue on camera.—
Cameron Harrison,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Texas State men's basketball finished the regular season with a bang, defeating App State 60-57 to squeeze its way into a six-way tie for second place in the Sun Belt.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Mater Dei celebrated its return to the top of CIF Southern Section boys soccer by defeating rival Orange Lutheran 2-0 in the Open Division final at El Modena High on Saturday.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
CrowdStrike delivered robust quarterly results on Tuesday, exceeding expectations across all key measures.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Both constructions could surge past the project budget record only just set by Lexington High School at $659 million, exceeding the previous record of over $497 million set when Revere High School was approved for a rebuild in April 2024.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The light bled red at Sixty-Seventh and Pacific, music throbbing through the speakers as Olivia Borsutzki relaxed her foot from the brake.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
And yet, as dynasties could emerge across a number of divisions in boys hockey this postseason, none should diminish what will be yet another heart-throbbing three weeks.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Large, thoughtful pockets stay accessible without flapping, and adjusters at the waist and cuffs help keep comfortability, even at mid-hike.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The way the Sharks were losing — and continue to lose — is one giant, flapping red flag.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mack and the Chargers’ defense pressured quarterbacks Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, frustrating them and keeping them out of their comfort zones.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beating. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
