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
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, 4 June 2026
Shares of Broadcom have been on a tear, up 40% in 2026 and besting chip giant Nvidia, which is only up about 15% this year.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Hochul also secured several notable reforms impacting the maddeningly high auto insurance rates in New York, besting one of the most potent lobbies in the Capitol, the trial lawyers.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Coral came out of the Women’s Open Division on top, besting three-time national team members Christina Gasparich and Calla Allison.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026
After winning the contest in 1987, Jordan took home consecutive trophies after besting rival Dominique Wilkins with an unforgettable dunk from the free-throw line.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
After returning to the Bronx for the first time since besting the Yankees in four games in the American League Division Series, the Blue Jays’ struggles of this season continued.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Hill, a lifelong independent, raised more than $780,000 in the first three months of the year, besting Democrat Matt Schultz, a pastor, who raised $578,000 from last October through March.
—Steve Peoples, Fortune, 15 May 2026
In 1950, four years after besting his nanny in the courts, Foxman’s parents took him with them to New York.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Shares of Broadcom have been on a tear, up 40% in 2026 and besting chip giant Nvidia, which is only up about 15% this year.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Hochul also secured several notable reforms impacting the maddeningly high auto insurance rates in New York, besting one of the most potent lobbies in the Capitol, the trial lawyers.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Coral came out of the Women’s Open Division on top, besting three-time national team members Christina Gasparich and Calla Allison.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026
After winning the contest in 1987, Jordan took home consecutive trophies after besting rival Dominique Wilkins with an unforgettable dunk from the free-throw line.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
After returning to the Bronx for the first time since besting the Yankees in four games in the American League Division Series, the Blue Jays’ struggles of this season continued.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Hill, a lifelong independent, raised more than $780,000 in the first three months of the year, besting Democrat Matt Schultz, a pastor, who raised $578,000 from last October through March.
—Steve Peoples, Fortune, 15 May 2026
In 1950, four years after besting his nanny in the courts, Foxman’s parents took him with them to New York.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besting
Verb
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The Spurs clinched their spot in the championship round after outlasting Oklahoma City, defeating the defending champs on the Thunder’s home floor in Game 7 on Saturday.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
-
Two weeks later, Barr walked away with the GOP nomination, defeating the other major Republican competitor, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, by a 2-to-1 margin.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2026
Verb
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One lawmaker Lackey’s unofficial bill title wasn’t lost upon was Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D-Jefferson Park, a lawmaker who has spoken publicly about overcoming systemic barriers in his own life as a Black man and has centered his political career largely on criminal justice reform.—
Andrew Graham
May 28,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
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That’s because the Phillies (29-27) stand as a serious threat in the wild-card races, and overcoming the Dodgers in the West race just isn’t realistic.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Europa-Park has surged in popularity by mastering regional destination tourism, unique cultural programming and showcasing pioneering attractions.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
Something that helped Minderman take the next step was mastering the change-up, according to junior catcher Alex Abraham.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe beating and banging all the way to the checkers.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Competitor Ross saw comparable sales jump a staggering 17%, beating expectations of 9%, and also attributed some of its outsize growth to extra stimulus.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Several Republican primaries are taking place Tuesday in South Dakota, where Democrats have been shut out of statewide office since 2015.—
Washington Post staff,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
-
The Peninsula swimming pool is among the best in the city; there's no better way to beat the heat in this famously hot capital than by taking a dip right on the river.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Cobra Commander is primarily focused on conquering planet earth, not giving power lunch recommendations, as The Hollywood Reporter tried to get out of him in a voice chat.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
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Perfect for conquering your next trail, the Speedgoat 6 is made with aggressive lugs that deliver a ton of traction and stability—they’re actually inspired by the hoof of a goat.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Additionally, ongoing conflict in northeastern DRC could make dispatching clinical care teams even harder.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
2 June 2026
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The Knicks also had no issues dispatching the 76ers squad that ousted the Celtics in seven games.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Besting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besting. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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