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
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
But, a couple of injuries for Blackwood, combined with his own work, has allowed Wedgewood to start 40 games and appear in 42 this season -- easily career-bests at the NHL level.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Fred Katz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Matt Fitzpatrick bested Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage over the weekend in what became a road game for him.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 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
Wade, an Orlando native, led the team in receiving touchdowns (5) and was second in receiving yards (523) and receptions (43) last season — all of which were program-bests for a tight end in a single season.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
But, a couple of injuries for Blackwood, combined with his own work, has allowed Wedgewood to start 40 games and appear in 42 this season -- easily career-bests at the NHL level.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Hawks have bested the Knicks in that aspect thus far.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Matt Fitzpatrick bested Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage over the weekend in what became a road game for him.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
Instead of a usual tuxedo, the attire consists of a black tail coat, a waistcoat and a white bow tie.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As for Tom’s surprise appearance at the country music festival, the actor kept his attire casual, opting for blue jeans, a tan jacket and a hat.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Georgia Tech football might have found its next elite running back just 25 miles north of Bobby Dodd Stadium.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
1 May 2026
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There were ups and downs through the race’s first few decades, but always a consistent effort to get elites— women included—to the track.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Alongside its best-selling bedding and cozy cashmere loungewear, the direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand offers a lineup of stylish Italian leather bags that channel quiet luxury without the sticker shock.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
-
Innovatively engineered to maximize the smallest amounts of square footage, these micro lodges are packed with lots of inspiring design moments, from a mountain-view wonder in the south of France to a stylish pad in Atlanta.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
On Saturday afternoon, someone dressed as the Christian messiah was among the dozens of people in costumes and masks seen on a video forcing open the door of a Scientology building on Hollywood Boulevard after a tug-of-war with a security guard.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Their parents would come and look at the costumes and buildings in horror.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Stars’ biggest strength is their depth, and removing the linchpin from the top of the lineup affected every line.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Plus, the more restrained growth of today still comes on top of a much larger business, the Zenith CEO pointed out.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Bote defeated Miami Immaculata-LaSalle junior Lorenzo Lopez 6-1, 6-2 for the overall singles crown and teamed with Wheat to win the overall doubles championship, 6-4, 6-1 over Naples Community School.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
In Commonwealth Athletic Conference action, Emma Bettencourt recorded four goals and one assist as Greater Lowell defeated Lowell Catholic, 7-1.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Back in my rooms, I was brought a box of French macarons and a bottle of Greek tentura, a cinnamon liqueur produced in the city of Patras, another elegant presentation of new alongside old, international alongside local.—
Sarah Manguso,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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Plants flower spring through fall in elegant shades of purple, pink, blue, and white.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
During my visit to New York, my wife and I will again pay our respects to the victims, the families, and the bravery shown in the face of terrible loss.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The key cabin crew are flight attendants Penny (Lucy Barrett) and Zoe (Na Shi), both of whom demonstrate bravery, to different ends, and show caring attention to the terrified children.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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