1
as in attire
dressy clothing
the family wore their best to the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elite
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
only the best will go on to the finals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to worst
to achieve a victory over
at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 best
Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Some of those nods included best picture, best sound and a best leading actor nomination for Chalamet.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Sutton set personal bests in targets (135), catches (81) and receiving yards (1,081) last fall.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 July 2025
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
And then third, Nixon, who had lost to Kennedy in the 1960 election, by the early 1970s, as president, was not about to ape and imitate the man who had bested him.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Noun
Cameras also caught Braun giving Ward a kiss at their table after Succession won best drama series at Critics Choice Awards the same month.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Some of those nods included best picture, best sound and a best leading actor nomination for Chalamet.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
All of them climb this frame, and two earn new personal bests as millions mourn his passing.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Sutton set personal bests in targets (135), catches (81) and receiving yards (1,081) last fall.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 July 2025
Adjective
With that gross, the play, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, also broke a house Hayes Theater, besting the tally brought in by Appropriate, another Jacobs-Jenkins play, last season.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
And then third, Nixon, who had lost to Kennedy in the 1960 election, by the early 1970s, as president, was not about to ape and imitate the man who had bested him.
—Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
The mother of three was styled by Elizabeth Stewart, and Roberts wore Phoebe Philo attire and jewelry by Tiffany & Co.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Suited styling also came into play with Jolie’s attire.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
D’Annunzio jeers at her delusional belief that Il Duce will fund her dream project of a theater not for the wealthy cultural and intellectual elite, but for the Great War’s widows, orphans and veterans.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Visit Party City's website to browse balloons, decor, costumes, and more, then choose on-demand delivery via DoorDash.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Carpenter, who started out in what appeared to be a silver, sparkly, fringe dress before a quick costume change, delivered an energetic performance that also contained a message.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This grew far beyond the typical choice routes coming out of the backfield.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Red twig dogwood Red twig dogwood is another great choice.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Dryden also represented his country several times, most notably helping Team Canada defeat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Lovevook Laptop Tote Bag Looking stylish for work doesn’t have to mean compromising on function.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Thankfully, Amazon has plenty of stylish wrinkle-free tops that won’t get creased on the way to your destination.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With Julian, Kusters has made an impressive, understated directorial debut about love, loss and the bravery required to keep trying to live in an unfair world.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Interpreting fall 2025 runways’ animal print trend on a more literal level, Tyla also went with Pandora Talisman collection picks like the Swallow Medallion Charm and Lion Medallion Charm, representative of hope and bravery, respectively.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One is the continued dominance of Argentina, 10 points clear at the top with one round of matches remaining.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
An adjustable buckle across the top keeps them in place, and their closed-toe design helps keep feet warm as temperatures get colder.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share