1
as in attire
dressy clothing
the family wore their best to the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Conclave and Wicked went into the ceremony leading this year’s film nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
One of the clear bests of this round is Jorgeous as Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 4 July 2025
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 17 July 2025
Trump won the Keystone state last fall, besting Democratic nominee former Vice President Kamala Harris by 120,000 votes after losing Pennsylvania four years earlier.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Noun
In the end, Gangs of New York went home empty-handed despite its 10 nods, and Rob Marshall’s Chicago won best picture.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Conclave and Wicked went into the ceremony leading this year’s film nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
In 2017, thousands of men ran 400-meter times that were faster than the personal bests of Olympic gold medalists Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
One of the clear bests of this round is Jorgeous as Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 4 July 2025
Adjective
Biles bested another all-time Olympic performance (Steph Curry's eight 3s in the 2024 final), as well as Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman's epic World Series run and Rory McIlroy's clinching of his elusive Masters title.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 17 July 2025
Trump won the Keystone state last fall, besting Democratic nominee former Vice President Kamala Harris by 120,000 votes after losing Pennsylvania four years earlier.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
There’s another reason Cora isn’t exactly high on the current Players’ Weekend attire.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Zelenskyy was teased by Trump and others for his attire and eventually booted from the White House.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Though Indian elites long viewed the US with suspicion, relations between the two countries have improved in recent decades — particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, with Washington viewing the Asian nation as a potential bulwark against a rising China.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Freedom: Conservatives prize personal liberty, which should include the freedom to generate your own power — a right already exercised by ordinary homeowners, not just elites.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Everyone looks like a model or at least dresses like one (Naud actually doubles as costume designer).—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Statewide locations are set to open starting in August with creepy decor, frightening costumes, haunted classics and more.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Patton believes that people sometimes make choices out of a fear of being alone instead of waiting for the person they are meant to be with.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
There was a fire lit in the nursery, and the table was laid with three choices of cake.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Kinloch closely defeated former THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the city's Aug. 5 primary to advance in the race, according to unofficial vote results on the city's website.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Schmitt replaced long-time GOP hand Roy Blunt, who retired in 2022, and Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., defeated Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2018. Hawley and Schmitt are close in age and enjoy a good relationship but diverge stylistically.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Finding studio apartment ideas that’ll work for you may require a bit of extra ingenuity, planning, and editing, but a stylish and functional end result is absolutely possible—and well worth the extra effort.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Architectural Digest,
12 Aug. 2025
-
It’s also made with real leather and looks more stylish and less industrial than other phone cases.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Behind her dark wardrobe and dour demeanor lies benevolence and bravery.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Aug. 2025
-
These lessons were often one-sided, focusing on the bravery and hardship of the colonizers.—
Shilo Kino
August 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
-
To assemble the cake, place one cake layer, right side up, on a serving plate and spread 3/4 cup frosting over the top.—
Anne Byrn,
Southern Living,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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