beating

1 a rhythmic expanding and contracting he wears a pacemaker to help maintain a regular beating of his heart Synonyms beat, pulsation, palpitation, pulse, throbRelated Words fluctuation, oscillation, vibration; quiver, tremble, tremor

2 failure to win a contest took a beating and ended up in second place Synonyms defeat, drubbing, licking, loss, lump, overthrow, plastering, rout, shellacking, trimming, trouncing, whippingRelated Words collapse, debacle (also débâcle), failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, nonsuccess, setback, upset; lurch, shutout, washout, whitewashNear Antonyms accomplishment, achievement; blowout, cakewalk, landslide, romp, runaway, sweep, walkaway, walkoverAntonyms success, triumph, victory, win