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
Patrick faced little opposition in his Republican primary and handily bested three opponents.
—
Karen Brooks Harper
austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
Whatley easily bested his primary opponents, Navy JAG veteran Don Brown and unsuccessful 2024 state superintendent candidate Michele Morrow.
—CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
The Brewers bested the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central by five games, despite having a payroll nearly $100 million lower than their rival, and reached the National League Championship Series.
—Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Anne typically is named the hardest-working royal year after year, but in 2025 was bested by Charles himself, who undertook 535 royal engagements to Anne’s 478—still impressive.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, insult was added to injury when Canada’s Brendan MacKay bested Goepper’s score to push him off the podium and take the bronze.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Their climax came on June 9, when McCarthy was bested by Joseph Welch, the Army’s chief counsel and a man possessed of a laser-sharp legal mind and a wicked sense of humor.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
In that race, Adam Gray bested Republican incumbent John Duarte by only a few hundred votes.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
McBath bested Bourdeaux in the primary and easily won the general election that November.
—Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Karen Brooks Harper
austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026
Whatley easily bested his primary opponents, Navy JAG veteran Don Brown and unsuccessful 2024 state superintendent candidate Michele Morrow.
—CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
The Brewers bested the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central by five games, despite having a payroll nearly $100 million lower than their rival, and reached the National League Championship Series.
—Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Anne typically is named the hardest-working royal year after year, but in 2025 was bested by Charles himself, who undertook 535 royal engagements to Anne’s 478—still impressive.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, insult was added to injury when Canada’s Brendan MacKay bested Goepper’s score to push him off the podium and take the bronze.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Their climax came on June 9, when McCarthy was bested by Joseph Welch, the Army’s chief counsel and a man possessed of a laser-sharp legal mind and a wicked sense of humor.
—Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
In that race, Adam Gray bested Republican incumbent John Duarte by only a few hundred votes.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
McBath bested Bourdeaux in the primary and easily won the general election that November.
—Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bested
Verb
-
Sierra Canyon defeated Santa Margarita 72-60 behind 23 points and 10 rebounds from Brandon McCoy.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Jayson Tatum kick-started Boston with a strong first quarter in his second game back from Achilles surgery, and co-star Jaylen Brown flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 109-98 at Rocket Arena.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Emily Lazar mastered the record, assisted by Bob DeMaa.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Real kabuki actors apply their own makeup — one of the many facets of the art form mastered over countless years of arduous practice — but the production didn’t expect its stars to go to such lengths of method preparation.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To win, Bhatia overcame swirling emotions to summon the best golf of his young career to apply pressure on Berger, who finally cracked down the stretch and opened the door.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Aaron Gordon overcame his first obstacle by getting back on the court.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Necas added his seventh power-play goal of the season 2 1/2 minutes later, beating his Czech Olympic teammate with a high shot.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In the last ten years, Berkshire shares have gained 250%, also beating the S & P 500.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He was involved in the negotiations for Hansen's seat, which took four years to obtain as both NASA and CSA policy priorities had to align on the matter, and funding to be obtained.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
After Williams rallied in the second set to tie it, the 23-year-old Parry, ranked 111th in the world, took control and cruised in the third.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After the 12th and 13th centuries, archaeologists could confirm that nature conquered the settlement, pointing to its abandonment.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Kim clan conquered real demons long ago.—
Margaret Heidenry,
Vanity Fair,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Bulls got within 10 again on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter, but each time the Kings came up with big baskets to stem the tide and secure the victory.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Phillip Danault got a lukewarm reception during his first game in Los Angeles since the Kings traded him back to Montreal in December.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
General Stirling was dispatched that same day, with some 2,500 troops executing a surprise attack on the enemy on Staten Island.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Thomas Gross, who had been dispatched to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center because an employee reported that someone was trying to breach it, was shot in his upper shoulder.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 6,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bested. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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