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
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
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Recent Examples of best
Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
The jovial actor can hardly nab a bite of the restaurant’s famous cheesy garlic bread without someone asking for a selfie or sharing well wishes for the movie, which is vying for a record-breaking 16 awards at the March 15 ceremony, including best picture.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Brzustewicz led all Knights in scoring with 54 points in 59 games this season on the strength of three-year bests in goals (19) and assists (35).
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
The bipedal humanoid, developed by smartphone maker Honor, blazed through the 13-mile race in just 50 minutes, 26 seconds, besting all 12,000 human competitors and even surpassing the human world record for a half-marathon, set by Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon last month, by nearly seven minutes.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Adjective
See who won best picture, which films took home the most Oscars and more.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
The jovial actor can hardly nab a bite of the restaurant’s famous cheesy garlic bread without someone asking for a selfie or sharing well wishes for the movie, which is vying for a record-breaking 16 awards at the March 15 ceremony, including best picture.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
Rice this season produced career bests in points, field-goal accuracy, rebounds and steals.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026
Brzustewicz led all Knights in scoring with 54 points in 59 games this season on the strength of three-year bests in goals (19) and assists (35).
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson were the leaders, each of them besting the closest male nominee, Chris Stapleton with six.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
The bipedal humanoid, developed by smartphone maker Honor, blazed through the 13-mile race in just 50 minutes, 26 seconds, besting all 12,000 human competitors and even surpassing the human world record for a half-marathon, set by Jacob Kiplimo in Lisbon last month, by nearly seven minutes.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
For Grylls, however, the attire is a uniform for a job that bridges the gap between A-list glamour and rugged human experience.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Out to Brunch A mid-day event that requires slightly dressier attire can sometimes stump me, but wearing this jacket, shorts, and heeled sandals has proven to be an ideal combination for comfort and style.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His elite pass protection and calm feet mean he can be trusted immediately to keep the quarterback clean on passing downs, while also providing a high-effort presence on special teams.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
India bristles as Pakistan has its diplomatic moment Indian political elites are discomforted by regional rival Pakistan’s outsized role in US-Iran peace talks, but there are some bright spots for New Delhi, analysts argued.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shot with cold control in black and white by cinematographer Kyle Deitz, Wiseman’s feature debut is a stylish thriller that launched at regional festivals in 2024; what must have seemed near-future about it then seems almost too present-day in 2026.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
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Every summer, stylish crowds congregate along France’s southeastern shores, seduced by the glamorous promise of the French Riviera, spending their days sipping overpriced cocktails at the high-end resorts that line its sandy beaches as if plucked straight from a Slim Aarons photo.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In one scene, he was seen holding a stack of newspapers while standing near a newsstand, surrounded by extras in full period costume.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Ubwdu Lace Ballet Sneakers These sneakers feel like a subtle nod to the balletcore trend without going full costume.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Though the Red Sox got a run back in the top of the second on a solo homer by Wilyer Abreu, the Orioles immediately responded with a Rutschman fielder’s choice in the second, and then extended the lead on a solo shot by Samuel Basallo in the third.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Marlins raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to Xavier Edwards’ RBI double and Liam Hicks’ two-run homer, an impressive drive that cut through a cold San Francisco night.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
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In large part because the only feeling more satisfying than defeating your enemies is that of defeating your friends.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This reversible option is no exception, with its appealing yellow color and elegant floral pattern.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
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With refined decor and an intimate residential ambience, guests will feel like locals checking into an elegant Manhattan townhouse—without sacrificing the white-glove service and amenities of a five-star hotel, of course.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The individual nature of these conflicts meant the season lacked the catharsis of an entire team coming together to face the unimaginable with bravery and grace.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Whereas the original book trilogy saw Tris choose Dauntless, the faction of bravery, in The Sixth Faction, tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, where her decision thrusts her into an underground rebellion.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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