best 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bestnext
as in Sunday

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best

2 of 3

noun

1
as in attire
dressy clothing the family wore their best to the wedding

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

best

3 of 3

verb

as in to worst
to achieve a victory over at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts

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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
Adjective
First, generative AI can boost productivity for novice and lower-skilled workers by more than 30%—and sometimes even more—by rapidly distributing best practices. — Usman Shuja, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 The Spaniard also collected the queen of the mountains jersey, while Lotte Kopecky finished with the points jersey and Marion Bunel was crowned best young rider. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
Scott William Winters plays Clark, a Harvard student who Will intellectually bests. — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 His hitting metrics are all career bests, and he’s headed for his fourth consecutive season of 20-plus homers. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Verb
The 48-year gap between his two most recent wins set a new record, besting the previous record holder, Reiner’s dad, Carl Reiner, according to Variety. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026 The Bears set a franchise record for points in an opener, besting a 45-7 win over the Packers in 1948. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
  1. stylish
  2. attire
  3. elite
  4. defeat
  5. elegant
  6. costume
  7. top
  8. overcome
Adjective
  • The shoe choice is also in character for Parker, whose real-life wardrobe has long been closely associated with stylish and luxury footwear.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • These exist in both the structures of her music and the fantastical world building achieved through presenting herself as a stylish equine named Stella Stallion that exists in a natural wonderland world that’s like if Lisa Frank met Planet Earth.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of stylish
Noun
  • The policy also says if an employee is found to be wearing inappropriate attire, they may be instructed to return home and change into appropriate clothing.
    — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Like Johnson’s attire, Hathaway’s look incorporated plenty of sparkle, though the crushed fabric on the bodice creating a rosette effect certainly elevated the look.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • But their ideas will be completely at the mercy of the armed elite, who prioritize restoring deterrence and preserving enough offensive capability to hurt Iran’s adversaries.
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, among New York’s Jewish elite, the singular focus for many continues to be antisemitism—rather than the ongoing killing of innocent civilians in their name.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of elite
Verb
  • Newsom defeated the recall attempt after nearly 62% voted to keep him in office.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Raiders rallied from a two-score deficit to defeat the New Orleans Saints 35-27, also improving to 3-0.
    — Pete Sweeney October 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Adjective
  • The iconic Fifth Avenue landmark has been turned into luxury apartments—one of which has been given a local’s elegant touch.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Al Mubarak was an elegant, articulate embodiment of a project many saw as an extension of Abu Dhabi soft power as much as a sheikh’s personal investment.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of elegant
Noun
  • The finale features Miss Asian Hall of Fame Ambassadors and showcases heritage costumes from around the world.
    — Paul Grein, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Before the girls perform for Eloise, Paulina creeps into the cafeteria alone, carefully made up and dressed in baby blue chiffon (costume designer Qween Jean continues to shoot nothing but net).
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • Instead of using a conventional crane capable of reaching the top of the tower, the company used a telescoping tower design.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Waiting at the top is a life-changing jackpot, to share with whoever makes it there.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of top
Verb
  • However, the proposal faces a steep procedural obstacle in the Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to invoke cloture and overcome a filibuster.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • To overcome this, scientists are exploring optical wireless communication options that can complement radio frequencies.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcome

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bespoken
best
best bib and tucker
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Cite this Entry

“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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