bet 1 of 2

noun

ˈbet How to pronounce bet (audio)
Definition of betnext
1
as in stake
the money or thing risked on the outcome of an uncertain event she offered the bet of a free lunch if her team won the World Series

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in choice
a person or thing that is chosen your best bet would be the scenic route along the coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

bet

2 of 2

verb

as in to put
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event foolishly bet a week's salary on the World Series

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 bet
Noun
The Regular Decision applicant, however strong, is a less certain bet, and the admit rates punish the difference. — Jamie Beaton, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Bahrain is joining a Gulf-wide bet on small modular reactors. — semafor.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
But some companies are betting that mass-market neural tech won't require opening the skull at all. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 13 July 2026 Auction houses have spent years betting that newer collecting categories would mature into significant businesses. — Daniel Cassady For Artnews, Robb Report, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bet
  1. stake
  2. choice
  3. put
  4. wager
  5. favorite
Noun
  • Epstein currently holds a minority ownership stake in the Boston Red Sox and serves as a senior advisor to Fenway Sports Group.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Sheikh Hamad used gas revenue to give a set of actors who distrust one another a direct stake in Qatar staying open and useful.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of stake
Noun
  • The businesses that come out of this era ahead will make the same choice, one job at a time.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • France are sponsored by Nike and Zidane has a long-term association with Adidas, so clothing and shoe choices need sensitive management.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of choice
Verb
  • But prices at the pump began to climb again after Iran resumed attacks on ships trying to exit the strait and after the US retaliated and put a blockade on Iranian ports.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Having said his piece, Armand puts a pen and paper in Louis’s headless hand.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of put
Noun
  • Sorare sits in the middle, its officially licensed player cards carrying real money exposure through the trading market even without a direct wager on a final score.
    — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Less than two years ago, prediction markets were not allowed to offer wagers on sports games.
    — Nathaniel Popper, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of wager
Noun
  • Dodgers fan favorite Kiké Hernández has built a reputation for clutch October moments and an easygoing personality.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • While the celebration continues, Lamine Yamal and crew are already the favorites to retain the trophy at the 2030 tournament.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of favorite

Browse Nearby Words

bests
bet
bête noire
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bet. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bet

Nglish: Translation of bet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All