1
as in licks
to strike repeatedly
they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defeats
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 surpasses
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 throbs
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner
the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in flutters
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 frustrates
to prevent from achieving a goal
you beat me to it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
as in glows
to shine with a bright harsh light
the tropical sun beat down on our heads without mercy
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in drums
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
beat the drum in a marching rhythm
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in confuses
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it beats me how that slipup happened
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in circumvents
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 grinds
to reduce to fine particles
years of pounding had beaten the pebbles to a fine dust
Synonyms & Similar Words
13
as in plucks
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
1
as in blows
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered one hard beat on the drums
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pulses
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 rhythms
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
4
as in heartbeats
a very small space of time
within a beat he was on the phone complaining about an error in his bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of beats
Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Banking beats defense One of the major drivers of optimism in Europe last year was the defense bull run sparked by commitments from leaders , along with the NATO military alliance , to ramp up spending on security.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
If the Americans lose Thursday and Great Britain wins, but Canada beats South Korea, the final spot between Great Britain, Team USA and South Korea would be determined by draw shot challenge results compiled over the course of the tournament.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Either way, clarity beats confusion every time.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Finland beats host Italy 11-0 Sebastian Aho, Kaapo Kakko, Joel Kiviranta and captain Mikael Granlund each scored twice for Finland in an 11-0 beatdown of host Italy.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
But the sentiments on his new line of Valentine’s candy suggest that under Miller’s thin skin beats the heart of a true romantic.
—John Ficarra, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
Albemarle revenue down but beats expectations Albemarle also raised its long-term global lithium demand forecast Thursday, citing an explosive growth in the stationary storage market.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Skiers can get the latest snow report with a touch of a button on their phones these days, but nothing beats watching snow pile up on a traditional snow snake, which is why Colorado’s ski resorts keep them around — and film them with 24-hour webcams.
—The Know, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Medtronic reported beats on fiscal 2026 third-quarter revenue and EPS.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
The publication has doubled its presence the last year in the US, covering national politics, media, sports, and other beats.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Arthouse sensibility meets genre beats.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Cold-blooded interest beats ethos and faith.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
But the textures also start to get too uniformly shadowy, the beats too stiff.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Food writers who know their beats best.
—Liz Johnson, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Leading them with graceful, sweeping beats and a sparkling hibiscus flower on his lapel?
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
For context, a McLaren 765LT supercar only beats that by two feet, and that has a freaking air brake.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Banking beats defense One of the major drivers of optimism in Europe last year was the defense bull run sparked by commitments from leaders , along with the NATO military alliance , to ramp up spending on security.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
If the Americans lose Thursday and Great Britain wins, but Canada beats South Korea, the final spot between Great Britain, Team USA and South Korea would be determined by draw shot challenge results compiled over the course of the tournament.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Either way, clarity beats confusion every time.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Finland beats host Italy 11-0 Sebastian Aho, Kaapo Kakko, Joel Kiviranta and captain Mikael Granlund each scored twice for Finland in an 11-0 beatdown of host Italy.
—Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
But the sentiments on his new line of Valentine’s candy suggest that under Miller’s thin skin beats the heart of a true romantic.
—John Ficarra, Air Mail, 14 Feb. 2026
Albemarle revenue down but beats expectations Albemarle also raised its long-term global lithium demand forecast Thursday, citing an explosive growth in the stationary storage market.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Skiers can get the latest snow report with a touch of a button on their phones these days, but nothing beats watching snow pile up on a traditional snow snake, which is why Colorado’s ski resorts keep them around — and film them with 24-hour webcams.
—The Know, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
The series has some of the beats of a crime-romance-family drama, but also heightened visual moments such as Shannon levitating, or the rival crime families squaring off in a operatic slow-mo sequence.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Medtronic reported beats on fiscal 2026 third-quarter revenue and EPS.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
The publication has doubled its presence the last year in the US, covering national politics, media, sports, and other beats.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Arthouse sensibility meets genre beats.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Cold-blooded interest beats ethos and faith.
—Josef Joffe, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
But the textures also start to get too uniformly shadowy, the beats too stiff.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Food writers who know their beats best.
—Liz Johnson, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Leading them with graceful, sweeping beats and a sparkling hibiscus flower on his lapel?
—Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beats
Verb
-
Then, Mitski licks up the blood on the girl’s finger.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After the drill, Ruin rolls onto his back, then licks a reporter's nose.—
Megan Sauer
Tasia Jensen,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
South Carroll defeats Rising Sun in the Class 1A final during the 2026 MPSSAA Dual Wrestling State Championships at North Point High School on Saturday, Feb 14.—
Brian T. Krista,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2026
-
If New England defeats the Seattle Seahawks, Vrabel will become the first person to ever win a Super Bowl as both a player and a head coach for the same franchise.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
China’s domestic regulation of AI surpasses the efforts of most other countries in the world, in part because of its longstanding censorship apparatus.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
People would generally agree that of all the mainstream country stars out there now, no one surpasses you as far as really having an appreciation and aptitude for bluegrass.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pain that is not a word throbs in his shoulders, awakens him each morning.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
6 Jan. 2026
-
While the game is played across the country, its pulse throbs in Rio.—
Michal Ruprecht,
NPR,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (center) flutters a Venezuelan and Cuban national flags in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Attending the esports-style SCC in London, The Athletic saw exactly how Nakamura frustrates some chess fans but helps make new ones.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Usually the offseason frustrates me.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Which is exactly what draws you back out and keeps you exploring.—
Chris Schalkx,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Today, the festival draws marquee names from the culinary world as well as from music and entertainment.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In San Francisco, Chinatown glows with lanterns, pop‑up performances, and bustling markets as the city builds toward its iconic Chinese New Year Parade on March 7 — one of the largest outside Asia.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Your 5th House of Creativity glows with a Solar Eclipse, inviting playful expression and heartfelt risk that helps love and artistry feel alive again.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beats. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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