as in masters
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 bests
On Wednesday, Variety projected that Backrooms is projected to open with anywhere from $40 million to $50 million in North American ticket sales this weekend, which easily bests the record opening of A24’s Civil War, which earned $25 million in its first Friday to Sunday frame in 2024.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
His performance for shareholders now bests JPMorgan, Visa, and the S&P 500.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 May 2026
There’s no perfect style of pizza that bests the rest.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Its maximum output easily bests that of the standard Cayenne Electric, which makes 435 hp, but lags far behind that of the turbo, which makes an outlandish 1,139 hp.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2026
Prior to last season, his career bests in starts for a season was two with Dallas in 2022.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
The towers are also able to reach a capacity factor of about 32%, which bests that of flat panels, which come in around 22%.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
And China now bests the United States in 57 out of 64 critical and emerging technologies, per a 2024 study.
—Mircea Geoană, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The new figure, which bests Monday’s $605 million jackpot, is already the 13th largest prize in the history of Powerball.
—Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
His performance for shareholders now bests JPMorgan, Visa, and the S&P 500.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 May 2026
There’s no perfect style of pizza that bests the rest.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Its maximum output easily bests that of the standard Cayenne Electric, which makes 435 hp, but lags far behind that of the turbo, which makes an outlandish 1,139 hp.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2026
Prior to last season, his career bests in starts for a season was two with Dallas in 2022.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
The towers are also able to reach a capacity factor of about 32%, which bests that of flat panels, which come in around 22%.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
And China now bests the United States in 57 out of 64 critical and emerging technologies, per a 2024 study.
—Mircea Geoană, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The new figure, which bests Monday’s $605 million jackpot, is already the 13th largest prize in the history of Powerball.
—Gordon Ebanks, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bests
Verb
-
Finally, Kim masters the steps and takes to the stage with confidence, as her family cheers her on!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
Levy masters one hilarious perplexed comedic reaction after another as Nicky, a closeted pastor with a zany, highly dysfunctional family.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Danny Harris defeats Edwin Moses in the 400 hurdles at a meet in Madrid, ending the longest winning streak in track and field.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
But when a brutish — and handsome — newcomer named Sir Tristam defeats Sir Palomides in a tournament, Princess Isode finds her plans thwarted.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
These families show that love overcomes differences.—
Geoffrey Greif,
Baltimore Sun,
11 June 2026
-
As the realization that nothing—or no one—will be enough overcomes the final bridge, a flurry of drums gallop in and the track explodes into fireworks as Rodrigo screams her guts out.—
Quinn Moreland,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
For Mills, nothing beats the unfettered connection caving has to nature.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Getting Around Transit most definitely beats driving here.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Gritty Nobody ever said Pennsylvania was short on personality—and hometown pride takes a baffling but beloved form in Gritty, the Philly Flyers mascot.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
In keeping with Croatia’s newer luxury inventory, the home takes a clean, modern approach.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Drake Nearly Sweeps the Top 10 Drake nearly conquers the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, but once again, he is stopped from filling spaces one through 10.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
That doesn’t mean robbing Billy of his shot at prying open Homelander’s skull, but with only a symbolic solution to Trump’s authoritarian rise — love conquers all!—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Kenny gets into two different arguments about this word.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
-
Hugh Laurie gets diagnosis wrong again.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Competing alongside two Americans, Roper (John Saxon) and Williams (Jim Kelly), Lee methodically dispatches Han’s henchmen and avenges his sister’s death in the process.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
20 May 2026
-
FirstNet normally dispatches a pair to a disaster site to allow continuous coverage.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bests.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bests. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
