beats off

verb

present tense third-person singular of beat off
as in repels
to drive back the defense managed to beat off those offensive players who were taking shots at the goalie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beats off
  1. repels
  2. turns back
  3. turns away
  4. repulses
  5. resists
Verb
  • While it's best known for triggering playful behavior in cats, researchers have long known the compound also repels insects.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • The strong scent of nasturtiums naturally repels destructive insects, such as cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026
Definition of repels
Verb
  • An exhibit celebrating the Metro’s rail system turns back time with its vintage 1970s railcar.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • Kara talks her out of it, and when Ruthye walks away, Kara turns back to Krem and stabs him multiple times with a sword.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026
Definition of turns back
Verb
  • The insect naturally turns away when an antenna touches an obstacle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • The bear, seemingly frightened, quickly turns away from the boy and continues running, sliding under a boat parked in the driveway.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of turns away
Verb
  • Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.
    — Daniel Felsenthal, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.
    — Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of repulses
Verb
  • Somehow, the mess of my notes resists all forms of optimization, or even coherence.
    — Rainesford Stauffer, Time, 24 July 2026
  • Enough investment to build real capability and real momentum, structured in a way that absorbs change rather than resists it.
    — Farooque Munshi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of resists
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.

Browse Nearby Words

beats it
beats off
beats one's brains out (about)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beats off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beats%20off. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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