as in defeating
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 besting
That comes after Palantir dropped about 8%, even after besting expectations for the third quarter, as investors worried that valuations for the software company — and the broader AI theme — have gotten untenable.
—
Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Those involve besting a fellow warrior in battle.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Another by the Hill-Emerson found Mamdani besting Cuomo by 25 points, 50% to 25%, even as Sliwa clung to 21%.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
For the last nine years, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has taken the top spot in the late night category, besting competition from his friends Jimmy Kimmel on ABC and Jimmy Fallon on NBC, among other contenders who have emerged over the past near-decade.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Rivian's new affordable EV could have a better chance at besting the Tesla Model Y (the company's most popular model).
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Luostarinen had a perfect pass ahead, and Marchand did the rest, besting DeSmith from the left wing and then pointing to the heavens.
—Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Though Geralt’s hansa succeeds in besting the priest’s deliberately unfair trial — with Regis demonstrating the (unexplained) power to hold a red-hot horseshoe without being burned — the whole thing turns out to be a farce.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Orr's own story is based in real life, telling the story of Elisabeth Bergner, who hired a fan as an assistant and watched her try to claw her way into besting Bergner in every area of her life and career.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Those involve besting a fellow warrior in battle.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Another by the Hill-Emerson found Mamdani besting Cuomo by 25 points, 50% to 25%, even as Sliwa clung to 21%.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
For the last nine years, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has taken the top spot in the late night category, besting competition from his friends Jimmy Kimmel on ABC and Jimmy Fallon on NBC, among other contenders who have emerged over the past near-decade.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Rivian's new affordable EV could have a better chance at besting the Tesla Model Y (the company's most popular model).
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Luostarinen had a perfect pass ahead, and Marchand did the rest, besting DeSmith from the left wing and then pointing to the heavens.
—Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Though Geralt’s hansa succeeds in besting the priest’s deliberately unfair trial — with Regis demonstrating the (unexplained) power to hold a red-hot horseshoe without being burned — the whole thing turns out to be a farce.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Orr's own story is based in real life, telling the story of Elisabeth Bergner, who hired a fan as an assistant and watched her try to claw her way into besting Bergner in every area of her life and career.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besting
Verb
-
The Lancers won their conference tournament by defeating Utah Tech and Utah Valley, with both matches going to penalty kicks.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Ole Miss wound up defeating Oklahoma 34-26 in Norman.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But Musk, a sci-fi fan, has long been focused on humanity colonizing Mars and mastering space travel.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The mastering guy gets more lines than the entire E Street Band.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With mixer on medium speed, gradually add heavy cream, 1/2 cup at a time, beating until combined after each addition, 1 to 2 minutes total.—
Amanda Holstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
On Saturday, that meant beating the Syracuse Orange 38-10 at Hard Rock Stadium.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When in doubt, close the page and verify the URL before taking any action.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Roan ended up taking home the trophy.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And when was conquering ever a good thing?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
-
These terrorists are going about on a jihad and conquering territories and renaming them accordingly.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After dispatching Matt last week, the Ulis took Jason out this week to give themselves the numbers heading towards another tribe swap next week.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
-
This aunt would look into the ball and see the face of some distant relative, and then announce that the family would be having an unexpected visitor, before dispatching someone to the butcher’s to buy the very best pork chops for the occasion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Besting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besting. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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