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
CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Attorneys representing inmates there said the facility’s culture of violence and inattentiveness led to two suicides and at least 10 severe beatings and stabbings in its final year of operation.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
The matchup is a tall order for Wright State, which won a First Four game in 2022 by beating Bryant.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beating
Noun
The suspects — identified as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni and Muhammadsobir Fayzov — appeared in a Russian court showing signs of severe beatings.
—CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Attorneys representing inmates there said the facility’s culture of violence and inattentiveness led to two suicides and at least 10 severe beatings and stabbings in its final year of operation.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
The district wrapped up by Lake Travis beating Del Valle 8-0 and then losing 1-0 to Austin High while Westlake blanked Del Valle 5-0; Del Valle rebounded to beat Akins 8-0.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
The matchup is a tall order for Wright State, which won a First Four game in 2022 by beating Bryant.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beating
Noun
-
The spa Tucked quietly away from the social pulse of the hotel, the spa is on the smaller side.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Piedmont Center’s pulse has weakened after going through foreclosure.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Less than a month ago, the Lakers squandered double-digit leads against the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic in down-to-the-wire defeats.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ghalibaf accused Israel of attacking infrastructure to conceal battlefield defeats in an X post.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Surprise, surprise, the drums started pounding for the SOB Act shortly after (though various legislative attempts have floated since Proposition 12 was passed) backed by a Midwestern congresswoman from a Big Pork state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The team became the spectacle of Havana, with Maduro’s Gran Stadium filling with the sound of pounding drums and a conga line snaking through the crowd, as baseball felt more like a festival than a game.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His Jayhawks went 1-1 at the Big 12 tournament, defeating TCU 78-73 on Thursday before getting clobbered by Houston 69-47 in Friday’s semifinals.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
-
When Alejandro Bran struck a volley from 24 yards out last week at BMO Stadium, the Costa Rican delivered a lightning strike that LD Alajuelense needed in order to have a chance of defeating the Los Angeles Football Club.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
By the end of the evening, pledges exceeding $300 million had been secured.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Early voting in suburban Cook closed Monday with more than 122,500 votes cast, exceeding early vote totals during the last two gubernatorial primaries, election officials said.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
17 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
-
Yes, literally like a bird flapping its wings.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
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
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 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
