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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title. — CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026 Scott William Winters plays Clark, a Harvard student who Will intellectually bests. — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Verb
Though the Hoosiers bested the Buckeyes in last year’s Big Ten Championship and won the title, Ohio State remains the Big Ten standard. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 As the unsuccessful regime-change effort in Iran demonstrated, there are no shortcuts to besting the axis countries, together or individually. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 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
  • DeMellier’s founder, Mireia Llusia-Lindh, tapped the residential architect Nicolas Schuybroek to create a space that felt like a stylish home with vintage furniture, photography and architecture books and original work by female artists.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Specializing in a stylish suite of KD55 showerhead filters, the brand has recently been picked up by leading UK retailer Boots.
    — Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stylish
Noun
  • Before the main event kicked off, however, the glitzy Academy Gala red carpet saw all of these A-listers bring out their finest evening attire for the night.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Kendall Jenner and Hunter Schafer, in Valentino and Prada, respectively, wore two of the evening’s most compelling arguments for black and white evening attire.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • This tiny elite owns 15% of all wealth – almost half of all the wealth of the top 1%.
    — Markus Schneider, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The result is a deep economic divide between Paris and the rest of the country and an elite that lives largely among its own, surrounded by people with similar educations, careers, and assumptions, and cut off from much of the country.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of elite
Verb
  • This was the sixth year in a row that the Yankees failed to defeat a higher-seeded playoff opponent.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Although supporters say the fear that billionaires will flee the state are overblown, the ultrawealthy have made moves to potentially avoid paying the tax or are funding campaigns to defeat it.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Adjective
  • An all-black look never fails to look elegant and serves as a contrasting backdrop to your zebra-print bag.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Later, she’s entertained by a mouse running along the baseboard of one of London’s more elegant restaurants.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of elegant
Noun
  • Identifying a sitter in a portrait is a tricky art-historical task that involves a study of provenance, inscriptions, archival documentation, iconographic juxtaposition, collection history, and costume and jewelry.
    — Karen Chernick, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Higher prices for candy, costumes, and decorations are forcing people to get creative.
    — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The ice scoop was in direct contact with the top of the machine.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The wide-leg pants keep things relaxed, and the ruched waist on the knit top adds shape and makes the whole look feel more polished than a standard sweatshirt set.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of top
Verb
  • Experts who are part of consultations expect the new policy to lay down clear and consistent rules, which will also help the industry overcome challenges around land acquisition and simplify a fragmented approval process.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The song addresses overcoming adversity and using others’ doubts to fuel your passion.
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 22 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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