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
Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025
The architects will be tasked with bringing best practice to any plans, be that working on seat size, stand gradients, or removing the roof to form an extra tier.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Joshua Ward celebrated his birthday with team-bests of 16 points and eight assists for Fullerton (15-15, 10-8), which lost to Hawaii by 10 earlier this season.
—Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Adjective
Phoenix coffee shop Moxie Coffee wins best coffee Moxie Coffee won gold in the filter coffee, single origin experimental subcategory for its Letty Bermudez.
—Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 2025
The architects will be tasked with bringing best practice to any plans, be that working on seat size, stand gradients, or removing the roof to form an extra tier.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Fudd is also averaging career bests in assists and steals.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Joshua Ward celebrated his birthday with team-bests of 16 points and eight assists for Fullerton (15-15, 10-8), which lost to Hawaii by 10 earlier this season.
—Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
Prior to last season, his career bests in starts for a season was two with Dallas in 2022.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
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If the dress code calls for true beachy or vacation attire, the Jaylah Strapless Midi Dress from Lulus looks like a wavy, ocean-like print that will blend in perfectly on the shore.—
Anna Popp,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Before long, smitten cast members, including Sarah Sherman and a cameraman wearing an I (Heart) Harry shirt who kept focusing on Styles, proved too much for Gosling, who called off a big song and dance number featuring most of the cast in silver space attire.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This may sound unlikely, but after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel last June, members of the Iranian elite openly wondered whether investing in nuclear infrastructure and regional proxies continued to make sense.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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Every year, another reminder that Tampa Bay had one player who belonged among the NFL’s elite.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The grand tourer’s sleek shape is thankfully unchanged up until the beltline, meaning that the convertible still looks commanding and stylish in equal measure.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
13 Mar. 2026
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Choose between a slouchy suede Madewell tote or a stylish Coach shoulder bag.—
Jordan Julian,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
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And when Martha slips into costume designer Brenna Maienschein’s form-fitting leopard-print dress, her predatory strategy to seduce Nick as the final flank maneuver against her husband becomes clear.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And how about the 2006 final when Palo Alto stunned Mater Dei 51-47 in Division II in which Jeremy Lin made a 25-foot bank shot from the top of the key.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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His cold-blooded 3-pointer from well beyond the top of the key gave his team the lead in an 8-0 run.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
We can be either defeated or motivated.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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The Magic also won on Thursday, defeating the Wizards in overtime for their sixth straight victory.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Taylor’s voice, as guileless and elegant as ever, ties together what could have been a random-feeling assemblage of tunes in a silky bow.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
14 Mar. 2026
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The pair, who make up the Penrose Tilbury design firm, set out to reimagine this older structure as an elegant but comfortable home.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Family friends say the crash not only left the community heartbroken but also revealed an extraordinary act of bravery by one of the surviving children.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Mamdani thanked both men for their bravery after also recognizing them in a private meeting.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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