Synonyms of beat
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as in to lick 
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as in to defeat
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as in to surpass
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as in to throb
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as in to flutter
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as in to frustrate
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as in to draw
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as in to glow
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as in to drum
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as in to confuse
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as in to circumvent
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as in to grind
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as in to cheat
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as in blow
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as in pulse
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as in rhythm
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as in minute
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as in tired
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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Entries Near
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly
they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over
she always beats everyone at checkers, but she's not as good at chess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to surpass
to be greater, better, or stronger than
this new animated feature sure beats everything else that's ever been done in animation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to flutter
to move or cause to move with a striking motion
the bird's wings beat strongly as it soared in the air
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
you beat me to it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
9
as in to drum
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
beat the drum in a marching rhythm
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
it beats me how that slipup happened
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in to circumvent
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
he spends all of his time trying to beat the system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
13
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the screenwriter has filed a lawsuit, accusing the production company of beating him out of his share of the film's net profits
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
delivered one hard beat on the drums
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pulse
a rhythmic expanding and contracting
a single beat of the heart is said to be all that separates the vice president from the presidency
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rhythm
the recurrent pattern formed by a series of sounds having a regular rise and fall in intensity
moved to the beat of the music
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4
as in minute
a very small space of time
within a beat he was on the phone complaining about an error in his bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
can we pick this up tomorrow, because I'm beat?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beat
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Her family said Robert had allegedly beaten Giuffre during a family trip in January, which left her with severe injuries.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 2 May 2025
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025
Hernández Rojas died in May 2010 after federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry beat, Tased and knelt on him.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
In season two, when Mike White’s series decamped to Sicily, the credits riffed on Italian frescoes that got increasingly debauched — with a beat drop from opera to EDM.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
According to the Almanac, summer 2024 was also Earth’s hottest summer since global records began in 1880 and this year could beat that record.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
Her family said Robert had allegedly beaten Giuffre during a family trip in January, which left her with severe injuries.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
Pair it with linen pants and espadrilles for a sightseeing day, then transition to sunset cocktails without missing a beat.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2025
Hernández Rojas died in May 2010 after federal authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry beat, Tased and knelt on him.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Adjective
As for where Garrett might land, The Athletic's beat reporters explain why odds favor the Commanders and Eagles, followed closely by the Bills, Lions and Bears.
—Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
In season two, when Mike White’s series decamped to Sicily, the credits riffed on Italian frescoes that got increasingly debauched — with a beat drop from opera to EDM.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
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She even, no joke, at one point, spits on the stage and licks it back up.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2025
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When the family's roast dinner was over, the OP (original poster) set the plates and some pots and pans on the floor for her dog to lick.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His last loss came in January 2019, when Geoff Neal defeated him via decision.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Perhaps their most memorable face-off came in 2021, when Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers famously defeated Patrick and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Verb
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These numbers have surpassed the totality of last year's infections, which added up to just 285 across 32 states with 16 distinct outbreaks and 69% of cases being outbreak-associated.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Infections have surpassed the number of cases that occurred during a 2019 outbreak in New York, previously the largest one, the CDC said.—
Dan Gorenstein,
NPR,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Migraines commonly cause dizziness, nausea, throbbing pain on one side of the head and increased sensitivity to light.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
21 Feb. 2025
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Wrist and arm pain: Carpal tunnel syndrome causes throbbing or burning pain in the wrists, certain fingers, and hands.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While some birds can flutter in place momentarily, the hummingbird can hover in one place for an extended period, fly forward or backward, and move at an incredible speed.—
Ernie Cowan,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2025
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Less enjoyable: being assaulted by the insects that are fluttering around the porch lights, just waiting for an opportunity to be ushered indoors.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Restaurateur Tasha Cyril is sometimes frustrated by the popularity of the turkey wings at her scene-centric Buckhead bar and lounge.—
Mike Jordan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
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Soon after, news broke that midfield star Gio Reyna — whose lack of utilization was a common talking point during the team’s run — had frustrated his teammates with a lack of effort in training before the opening match against Wales.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Under Musk's leadership, the task force has driven thousands of job cuts across various agencies and departments, drawing scrutiny for its methods and the billionaire's influence on the government.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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The social ritual side of the experience is what draws the crowds back, with unhurried pleasure and human connections promised, completed with a glass of champaign or a scoop of ice cream.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
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This pageant of puppetry includes a flutter of butterflies, a goat with a plaintive bleat, a menagerie of wild animals and, at one point, a school of glowing fish.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
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Reserve a late-afternoon session in the upstairs tasting room, order cheese and charcuterie, and watch the glowing sun set on the hills.—
Anya von Bremzen,
AFAR Media,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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