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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of beats
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
That beats using a garage or carport.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
With no chance to build anything that beats Falcons Flight, perhaps Six Flags can change focus here at home and find greater success with a fresh approach.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
And for those pondering their futures, going out with a win sure beats the alternative.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Though numerous attempts at a reboot have become non-starters — and the less said about the 2005 movie remake, the better — nothing beats the original fantasy show’s bubbly allure.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Try not to nitpick yourself or others… peace beats perfection.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026
When the cooler months roll around, nothing beats the hearty flavors of this classic combination.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Snap beats revenue expectations and lifts guidance.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
There’s not much on 1 IN A MILLION that will blow you away; the beats are of the same unmiraculous mold—Michigan brute force meets Louisiana jig—that has been holding down Florida street rap for the last half-decade, and the lyrics rarely jump off the page on their own.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
Amid it all, Ray’s techno score is a character unto itself with the first sonic beats thumping through the speakers for close to 17 minutes.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
The San Bernardino band is a pioneer of the subgenre, which blends the traditional instrumentation of Mexican folk balladry with elements of American trap music, namely its beats and the gritty lyrical content that deals with matters of moving contraband, turf wars and endless hustle.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Starting small beats doing nothing at all, and everyday decisions add up across thousands of homes.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
There are leading dramatic beats as suspects are introduced and new information comes to light.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
His music mixes reggaetón beats with the sounds of Puerto Rican history and everyday life, where devotion and defiance often live side by side.
—Ken Chitwood, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Still, as someone who enjoyed the recent titles' characterizations and emotional beats, I was impressed by the care and time Age of Imprisonment took in building out its story, at least during the first few hours.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
But this has been a glorious year regardless of whether Miami beats the Indiana-Oregon winner or not.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
That beats using a garage or carport.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
With no chance to build anything that beats Falcons Flight, perhaps Six Flags can change focus here at home and find greater success with a fresh approach.
—Robert Niles, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
And for those pondering their futures, going out with a win sure beats the alternative.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Though numerous attempts at a reboot have become non-starters — and the less said about the 2005 movie remake, the better — nothing beats the original fantasy show’s bubbly allure.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Try not to nitpick yourself or others… peace beats perfection.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026
When the cooler months roll around, nothing beats the hearty flavors of this classic combination.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Snap beats revenue expectations and lifts guidance.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
The former allows the player to set beats-per-minute, beats per bar, select different rhythms and whether a sound beeps and/or the device vibrates to the beat.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
There’s not much on 1 IN A MILLION that will blow you away; the beats are of the same unmiraculous mold—Michigan brute force meets Louisiana jig—that has been holding down Florida street rap for the last half-decade, and the lyrics rarely jump off the page on their own.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
Amid it all, Ray’s techno score is a character unto itself with the first sonic beats thumping through the speakers for close to 17 minutes.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
The San Bernardino band is a pioneer of the subgenre, which blends the traditional instrumentation of Mexican folk balladry with elements of American trap music, namely its beats and the gritty lyrical content that deals with matters of moving contraband, turf wars and endless hustle.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Starting small beats doing nothing at all, and everyday decisions add up across thousands of homes.
—Claire Marks, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
There are leading dramatic beats as suspects are introduced and new information comes to light.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
His music mixes reggaetón beats with the sounds of Puerto Rican history and everyday life, where devotion and defiance often live side by side.
—Ken Chitwood, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Still, as someone who enjoyed the recent titles' characterizations and emotional beats, I was impressed by the care and time Age of Imprisonment took in building out its story, at least during the first few hours.
—PC Magazine, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beats
Verb
-
Everybody licks the big pink flesh wall.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Nov. 2025
-
Posted to the account @maisythemarshmallow on September 19, the video shows the dog, named Maisy, lying calmly as the cat snuggles up and licks her face.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Haynes defeats Hall in District 2 Shamaiye Haynes maintained a sizable lead over Juanrique Hall in District 2, which covers uptown and west Charlotte.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wilkens, with his 939th win, surpasses Red Auerbach’s record.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
That price typically surpasses the $1 million mark.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Portugal’s coastline throbs with beach goers and sports enthusiasts.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 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
-
It’s been said that the filibuster empowers the minority and frustrates the majority.—
The Detroit News Editorial Board,
Twin Cities,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This inconsistency frustrates drivers and reduces their confidence in public charging networks, further slowing EV adoption.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Located in the heart of the plaza, the Folsom Ice Rink draws crowds for 90-minute skating sessions and seasonal events under string lights.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Part therapy session, part history project, the exercise draws from Indigenous traditions to cultivate memories and bring out reflections about the Ojibwe language, practices and community.—
Holly J. McDede,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
On dark nights, the rim of the crater glows orange.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Inside, light from shaded lamps and sconces glows amber-soft.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beats. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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