1
as in attire
dressy clothing
the family wore their best to the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elite
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class
only the best will go on to the finals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to worst
to achieve a victory over
at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of best
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Conclave and Wicked went into the ceremony leading this year’s film nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
In his first full season as an NHL coach, Hiller equaled team bests for wins (48) and points (105) and broke the record for home wins (31).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
In football, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (No. 4 at $137 million) bested his own $107.5 million from 2021, and in baseball, New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (No. 7, $114 million) kept Shohei Ohtani (No. 9, $102.5 million) from pushing up his $85.3 million mark from last year.
—Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Adjective
In the end, Gangs of New York went home empty-handed despite its 10 nods, and Rob Marshall’s Chicago won best picture.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Conclave and Wicked went into the ceremony leading this year’s film nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Ghost bests the Grateful Dead nearly four times over.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
In his first full season as an NHL coach, Hiller equaled team bests for wins (48) and points (105) and broke the record for home wins (31).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Verb
Sophomore Benjamin Adams bested his senior teammate Benjamin Anderson, 9:07:93 to 9:08.60.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
In football, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (No. 4 at $137 million) bested his own $107.5 million from 2021, and in baseball, New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (No. 7, $114 million) kept Shohei Ohtani (No. 9, $102.5 million) from pushing up his $85.3 million mark from last year.
—Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
Speaking of attire, Max Azria, founder of women’s fashion brand BCBG (not to be confused with CBGB, the legendary dive bar turned NYC punk nirvana), likely found the six-bedroom layout perfect for his eye for fashion.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Moderator Jean-Marie Durand was visibly intrigued by Coccia’s colorful attire, which included a pair of psychedelic Puma MB.04 LaMelo Ball Scooby Doo sneakers.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
Noun
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As Hollywood honors the man who’s roasted its elite with such precision, to be roasted for eternity by the Hollywood sun sounds fitting.—
Ali Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
-
Coach or no coach, the world no.43 needs to solve the strategy as well as the physical puzzle to challenge the elite.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Fortunately, Amazon is overflowing with affordable, stylish, and cooling linen pants that will instantly upgrade your most casual outfits while keeping you comfy, regardless of the temperature.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
-
During summer, the options are limited to a few core fabrics that don’t retain heat and look stylish for the season: linen, seersucker and tropical wool.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
His journey from Bollywood costume designer to global fashion icon represents the arrival of Indian fashion as an undeniable force on the world stage.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Holly Waddington, the Oscar-winning costume designer for Poor Things, is also onboard to do the wardrobe for this new generation of witches and wizards.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Goal of the season This was a choice between Bowen’s superb strike from outside the box against Ipswich and his volley against Forest.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Among its options are suggesting shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated.—
Mike Stobbe,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Florida is 48-15 on the season and defeated its conference foe, Georgia, in the Super Regional.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
And while Maresca’s position as head coach isn’t greatly consolidated by winning the least of them, defeat to Betis would have hurt him.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Old Midleton Distillery, with its elegant stone facade, was originally a woolen mill in the late 18th century.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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This elegant tiered fountain, just minutes off U.S. Highway 17, draws visitors year-round with its photogenic charm and quiet appeal.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Even in those first sessions, Nikola stood out for his incredible bravery when going up against older boys.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
-
That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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