as in defeated
to achieve a victory over
at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts
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Recent Examples of bested
The Commanders bested the Bears last year with a last-second Hail Mary.
—
Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
In that regard, she is bested only by the Beatles, who had 19 LPs reach the ranking’s summit.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Hudson Garrity completed 20-of-24 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for two scores, while Blake Nelson made seven catches for 130 yards as Archbishop Williams (5-0) bested Arlington Catholic 43-14 in the Catholic Central League.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
In 2024, the Royals nearly bested Aledo, taking the Bearcats to overtime.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
It’s bested the performance of many of the mega-cap tech companies.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Alcaraz bested Djokovic 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, giving the former champ his first loss on Center Court in a decade.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
Not yet bested today, the most exquisite zombie movie ever created demanded to be seen by more audiences, and using late-night slots at drive-in theaters and rep cinemas as a cheap way to build out its reputation was brilliant.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
However, Mikel Arteta’s team journey up to Tyneside to face a Newcastle team who have often bested them at home in recent meetings.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
In that regard, she is bested only by the Beatles, who had 19 LPs reach the ranking’s summit.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Hudson Garrity completed 20-of-24 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for two scores, while Blake Nelson made seven catches for 130 yards as Archbishop Williams (5-0) bested Arlington Catholic 43-14 in the Catholic Central League.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
In 2024, the Royals nearly bested Aledo, taking the Bearcats to overtime.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
It’s bested the performance of many of the mega-cap tech companies.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Alcaraz bested Djokovic 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, giving the former champ his first loss on Center Court in a decade.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
Not yet bested today, the most exquisite zombie movie ever created demanded to be seen by more audiences, and using late-night slots at drive-in theaters and rep cinemas as a cheap way to build out its reputation was brilliant.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
However, Mikel Arteta’s team journey up to Tyneside to face a Newcastle team who have often bested them at home in recent meetings.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bested
Verb
-
The Chiefs defeated the Lions 30-17 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, improving to an even 3-3 with the victory.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Series history Tennessee snapped a 4-game losing streak in the series against Arkansas and defeated the Razorbacks for the first time since a 34-13 decision at Neyland Stadium in 2007.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump mastered it decades ago, on The Apprentice.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Quince has mastered the art of layering pieces.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The researchers overcame traditional size limitations by embedding thin but powerful actuators that respond to heat and pressure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Kobe also fouled out at the end, and the Bobcats overcame his remarkable effort with a balanced attack.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sandy Baltimore beat opponent Maelle Garbino to almost every loose ball, presenting a constant threat on the left.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Furthermore, big banks — bellwethers for economic activity — such as JPMorgan Chase, Citi and Goldman Sachs, beat earnings expectations, suggesting that fundamentals are still sound.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With the Chiefs facing fourth-and-3 inside the 10-yard-line, kicker Harrison Butker took a couple of steps off the sideline before Reid waved him back.—
Sam McDowell
October 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Henninger took her concerns to the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed suit in April, saying the administration's actions violated the First Amendment.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For 30 years, the solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestinians was thought to be the Oslo Accords, the 1993 agreements meant to produce a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza, territory that Israel had conquered in 1967 and militarily occupied since.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
-
In the meantime, the French Revolution had occurred, Napoleon had risen to power and conquered half of western Europe, and various combinations of France’s enemies had formed coalitions to stop him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Dodgers got past the Phillies without their bats ever really coming to life.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Went through the progression as normal and got two negative plays in a row after the screen.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Numerous law enforcement resources from across the state of Tennessee have been dispatched to assist in the investigation, a source familiar told CNN.—
Caroll Alvarado,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Kowalski's call was not immediately dispatched to the police searching for Denise.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bested. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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