as in defeating
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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Recent Examples of besting
This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.
—
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The 61-point win was UT's most-lopsided victory in a Big 12 or SEC game, besting a 90-39 thrashing of Texas Tech in 2018.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Temperature at kickoff was a 69 degrees, which is the warmest on record in Denver, besting the old mark of 67 degrees in 1956.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Those vying to dethrone the champions, a 30-6 Oklahoma City team after Sunday night’s 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, likely can’t do so with merit until besting these Thunder in a seven-game series.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Toney already holds the school record for catches in a season after besting Restrepo’s mark of 85 catches from his 2023 season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
While the vacuum industry is besting itself over the years, including robot helpers with AI capabilities, cordless vacuums are not lagging behind thanks to slimmer, more streamlined bodies, longer run times, and upgraded wet-dry features.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
That set a new record for female spaceflyers, besting NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson's total time by 1 hour, 45 minutes.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The survey showed Ocasio-Cortez besting the vice president by 2 points.
—Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
The 61-point win was UT's most-lopsided victory in a Big 12 or SEC game, besting a 90-39 thrashing of Texas Tech in 2018.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Temperature at kickoff was a 69 degrees, which is the warmest on record in Denver, besting the old mark of 67 degrees in 1956.
—CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Those vying to dethrone the champions, a 30-6 Oklahoma City team after Sunday night’s 108-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, likely can’t do so with merit until besting these Thunder in a seven-game series.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Toney already holds the school record for catches in a season after besting Restrepo’s mark of 85 catches from his 2023 season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
While the vacuum industry is besting itself over the years, including robot helpers with AI capabilities, cordless vacuums are not lagging behind thanks to slimmer, more streamlined bodies, longer run times, and upgraded wet-dry features.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025
That set a new record for female spaceflyers, besting NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson's total time by 1 hour, 45 minutes.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The survey showed Ocasio-Cortez besting the vice president by 2 points.
—Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besting
Verb
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Matt Bryant kicks a 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons bounce back after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, defeating Seattle 30-28 in an NFC divisional playoff game.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Fortunately, Pep Guardiola’s side had a similarly testing tie, defeating League One Exeter City 10-1.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The team overcoming those injuries defined the season.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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The search company has been on the rise after putting together the pieces for its AI comeback and overcoming key regulatory hurdles last year.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ensure you don't get swallowed up by an oversized shirt by mastering the right proportions.—
Sri Rain Stewart,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
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Advocacy isn’t about mastering policy jargon or tracking every bill.—
Mary D. Kane,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Broomfield city councilman Kenny Nguyen was appointed to serve House District 33 on Monday night, narrowly beating fellow councilwoman Heidi Henkel in a 16-15 vote.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Bruins won for the fifth time in six games despite going 0 for 6 on the power play a day after beating the Rangers 10-2.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The commercial failure of Cutthroat Island eventually led to Davis taking a two-year hiatus from acting.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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This is true even if the person (or computer) taking the bet is in an exotic location.—
Daniel Wallach,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Coan isn’t surprised Colaizzi is conquering yet another obstacle in his way.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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That, plus some Sunday morning news interviews and a shot at conquering Cuba, and all for the bargain basement price of one soul.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is scheduled to start dispatching power by the end of the first quarter of 2026.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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And finally… Job done for Liverpool in the FA Cup’s third round last night, dispatching Barnsley 4-1.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Besting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besting. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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