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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Its eight legs span some 28 cm (11 inches), a measurement just barely bested by our next spider, the giant huntsman. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026 The result—just the latest in a recent flurry of cases where a major technology company has bested American antitrust efforts—raises fresh questions about what will actually succeed in halting Big Tech’s outsized power and influence. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 In the 1st District Democratic primary in western Massachusetts, Neal, 77, bested Whalen, 39. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Secretariat and American Pharoah have also been bested at the Spa. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bested

Verb

Breakker was on the mend as Femi defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, won the King of the Ring Tournament and seemingly ended Lesnar’s career at SummerSlam.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
The Tigers already defeated potential CFP challengers UNLV 27-21 on the road.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of defeated

Verb

Under the leadership of president/baseball operations Peter Bendix, the Marlins have mastered the scrap heap pickup; Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards, Liam Hicks (traded to Tampa Bay) and Heriberto Hernandez continue to wildly exceed expectations.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
However, Dustin Folkes, a former Marine, has mastered the art of being low-key while still on high alert.

— Nicki Cox, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of mastered

Verb

The Bulls overcame a sloppy night penalty-wise, being flagged 15 times for 140 yards, including two penalties that wiped out touchdowns.

— Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Maye overcame the first two picks to drive the Patriots into position to tie or take the lead in the final minute.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of overcame

Verb

The Panthers beat Vanderbilt in coach Dell McGee’s third game as coach in 2024, then lost 17 of their next 18 games against FBS opponents.

— Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Two blue and yellow humanoid robots attempted to beat each other up with punches twice as hard as Mike Tyson’s.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of beat

Verb

The play gave Western Michigan a field goal as time expired, and those 3 points loomed large as Western Michigan took a 9-7 lead in the fourth quarter.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
In 2022, the pair took a big risk for their first date and went on a spontaneous trip to the World Cup in Qatar.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of took

Verb

Bringing lions, elephants, bears or crocodiles to Rome from the furthest reaches of the Empire was a way of displaying the extent of the world Rome had conquered.

— Roberto Prieto, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Back then, Below Deck hadn’t yet launched in the Mediterranean, the Housewives hadn’t yet conquered Potomac, and there were no Traitors, Summer House, or Mormon Wives to speak of.

— Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of conquered

Verb

But Jon Hamm, strolling up to present the next award, got the better joke in.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Maresca’s players followed soon after; Iliman Ndiaye, an inspired half-time substitute, was hanging around at the back of the group when Ruben Dias grabbed him and thrust him to the front, ensuring the new signing got a deserved ovation.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of got

Verb

Zverev dispatched Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 to advance to his fourth consecutive major semifinal.

— Takashi Williams, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
His three years at WTVJ led to a local TV job in New Orleans, where he was dispatched to cover the Kentucky Derby and other big assignments.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026