BESTING Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

besting

verb

present participle of best

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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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 besting Even the National Weather Service’s Oxnard station wasn’t spared — topping out at 87 degrees, besting a record of 85 set in 1931. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The potentially final chapter of LIV's story being closed out with La Sasso besting the two biggest LIV stars was certainly a scene. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 The British-Argentine actor’s point has less to do with her conflicted con artist cheating death numerous times and besting her mobster in-laws, as well as the FBI. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 The year ended up with a record 109 missions, besting the 93 flown in 2024 when the 50th mission was on July 8. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates, besting Motorola's commitment of three years for OS upgrades and five years for security updates. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 Miami hit 96 Thursday afternoon, besting the previous 95 degree record set in 2015. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Banks scored from seven of the shooting zones during the two rounds, besting six from Delle Donne and four from Shakira Austin. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 July 2026 And by exceeding expectations so spectacularly on nomination morning, Widow’s Bay seized the thrust in the comedy category despite Hacks’s superior nomination count (24 nominations, besting its previous high of 17 nominations in 2022). — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for besting

Verb

Northern California received a boost with Folsom defeating Mission Viejo 35-21.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Botic van de Zandschulp, who knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of this event two years ago, is into the fourth round after defeating Zizou Bergs 3-6, 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of defeating

Verb

This design continually reflects the laser inside the stream via total internal reflection, overcoming the need for focal-point or Rayleigh-length adjustments.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Augusto, Marrero, Hernández and countless others have little choice but to figure things out which, in Cuban parlance, means overcoming whatever obstacle is placed in their way.

— Juan Carlos López, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of overcoming

Verb

Knowing how to apply lipstick is one of those essential beauty skills worth mastering, alongside nailing how to apply cream blush and perfecting your base.

— Emma-Jade Stoddart, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
But for a novice, relying on AI before mastering the fundamentals creates a technical debt that leads to a lack of depth.

— Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mastering

Verb

Rashford enticed the Ukrainian, then drove past him on the outside, further beating Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the area, forcing James Tarkowski to slide in to concede a corner.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Both teams are coming off dominant albeit unremarkable opening games after beating FCS opponents at home.

— PJ Green September 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of beating

Verb

After taking a short corner and getting the ball back, Savio turned down a chance to cross and chose to chop instead.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The Moon opposes intense Pluto, exposing a routine or responsibility that has been taking more out of you than expected.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of taking

Verb

There’s no better way to add a jolt of prestige to an aspiring Oscar vehicle than the sight of its stars, bedecked in all their finery, arriving on the Lido by water taxi in the manner of conquering heroes.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Then again, Bentley still knows a thing or two about racing, most recently conquering the challenging and prestigious Bathurst 12 Hours race in 2020 with a GT3 version of the Continental GT3.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of conquering

Verb

In the men’s draw, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx continued his breakout run, dispatching Argentine 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 ⁠to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
After dispatching Zakharova, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3), Osaka explained her look.

— Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispatching

Browse Nearby Words

bestiary

besting

bestir

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“Besting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besting. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of besting

verb

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