BESTED Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

bested

verb

past tense of best

as in defeated

to achieve a victory over at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bested Democrat Xavier Becerra, who along with Republican Steve Hilton, bested Bianco in California’s June primary, is listed as an attorney on the voting rights case. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 But hearing Alaimo nail Jackson’s tune bested the financial windfall. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Osceola Board of County Commissioners, District 4 Downey bested two fellow Democrats in the county commission race, while Shroyer defeated a rival Republican. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Kelly bested Schmidt by 22,258 votes in the last gubernatorial election. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Although Kent struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong in his first two at-bats, the center fielder bested the rookie in the fifth inning with a game-tying RBI double. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 But Team Chevy came along and bested the Blue Oval’s Nurburgring record, not once but twice, two months later. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026 The Thunder — which Florida bested Friday — faced the Austin Gamblers, the Nashville Stampede saw the Rattlers, the Oklahoma Wildcatters battled the Carolina Cowboys and the Arizona Ridge Riders took on the Kansas City Outlaws. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 Brand New Day scored the best-ever domestic box office sums for a Monday and a Tuesday on its way to becoming the second-fastest feature to cross the billion-dollar mark globally after reaching the threshold in six days, bested only by Endgame. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bested

Verb

In Saturday’s semifinals, Pegula beat defending champion Iga Swiatek and Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek to set up the first all-American women’s final at the Cincinnati Open in 56 years.

— Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
India is leading the two-match series having defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first match in Galle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeated

Verb

Even the most dependent of the United States’ allies have mastered the arts of foot-dragging, leash-slipping, and lobbying Washington.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor who became chair after his 2004 Presidential campaign, told me that part of the job is learning how to tune out the complaints, something Martin has apparently not yet mastered.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of mastered

Verb

Wahab overcame late intervention from the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, which spent millions of dollars on ads to try to defeat her and boost opponent Melissa Hernandez.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Through a highly coordinated grassroots campaign, Nixon overcame a $15-million fundraising deficit against Vindman in a state where affordability, high property insurance costs and public infrastructure strain were top concerns for many voters.

— Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcame

Verb

The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey.

— Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
A day earlier, the Buccaneers had beaten the Panthers in their final game of the regular season, only to witness Carolina claim the NFC South anyway.

— Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of beat

Verb

Black took eight carries in Thursday’s victory over the Chargers and turned them into 33 yards.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
With Copper scoring 17 points in the third quarter the Mercury got within one point before the Dream took a 73-68 lead into the fourth quarter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of took

Verb

Hanke even survived a close call when Yugoslav strongman Slobodan Milosevic spread rumors the economist was a French spy and dispatched a hit squad to assassinate him.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Crews were dispatched early Thursday morning and closed one lane of eastbound traffic in the area for the repairs, Figueroa said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026