beat 1 of 7

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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

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beat

2 of 7

noun (1)

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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

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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

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beat

3 of 7

adjective (1)

beating

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noun (2)

beaten

6 of 7

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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beating

7 of 7

verb (3)

present participle of beat
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as in throbbing
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
According to the Almanac, summer 2024 was also Earth’s hottest summer since global records began in 1880 and this year could beat that record. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 2 May 2025 Her family said Robert had allegedly beaten Giuffre during a family trip in January, which left her with severe injuries. Kc Baker, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
Pair it with linen pants and espadrilles for a sightseeing day, then transition to sunset cocktails without missing a beat. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025 Hernández Rojas died in May 2010 after federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry beat, Tased and knelt on him. Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Adjective
As for where Garrett might land, The Athletic's beat reporters explain why odds favor the Commanders and Eagles, followed closely by the Bills, Lions and Bears. Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 In season two, when Mike White’s series decamped to Sicily, the credits riffed on Italian frescoes that got increasingly debauched — with a beat drop from opera to EDM. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Feb. 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
Noun
He was hospitalized for several days after the beating. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025 In theaters July 2 19 of 31 The Old Guard 2 Following the 2020 action hit adapted from the popular graphic novel series, Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne and their fellow warriors return for another round of beatings and bullets. Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
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
Verb
Braxton, a globe-trotting killer for hire, is an ideal foil for Chris — a gleeful, filter-free mercenary who loves luxury goods and beating people up, but who is, like his brother, has been living a free-floating life that lacks meaningful connections. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025 The Bot gets +1 for guessing in three and +1 for beating me. Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beat

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Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

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