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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of beat
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The Red Raiders rallied from 13 points in the final five minutes to beat the Razorbacks in the Sweet 16.
—Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The show is thrilling as a sensory experience, humming with sinister percussive beats and the occasional muffled animal squawk in the distance.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Amanda Seyfried will star in the series which follows a beat cop working as the opioid crisis grips the streets of Philadelphia.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beat
Verb
Pete Crow-Armstrong got a superb secondary lead and jump to beat a throw to second base on a routine grounder with two outs to load the bases, setting up Miguel Amaya’s three-run double.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The Red Raiders rallied from 13 points in the final five minutes to beat the Razorbacks in the Sweet 16.
—Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
Michael is a five-time Minnesota Sportswriter of the Year and in 2017 was named the inaugural Red Fisher Award winner as best beat writer in the NHL.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The show is thrilling as a sensory experience, humming with sinister percussive beats and the occasional muffled animal squawk in the distance.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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
Amanda Seyfried will star in the series which follows a beat cop working as the opioid crisis grips the streets of Philadelphia.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
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The race is being widely viewed as a must-win for Democrats who at the national level are still licking their 2024 election wounds, as well as a potential referendum on Trump and Musk.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
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Cora appears to enjoy the routine and happily lets the cat lick at the tufts of blonde hair on her head.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Kings defeated the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the play-in tournament before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that would have sent them to the playoffs as the No.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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In his first defense of the IBF crown, Ennis defeated David Avanesyan when the fight was halted before the start of the sixth round.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In the last year, Church & Dwight’s revenue growth surpassed its outlook and, according to sources, outperformed its competitors.—
Seth Matlins,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The receiver surpassed 1,000 yards in two of his four collegiate seasons and could be one of the best pass-catchers in this class.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 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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The Chinese and Hong Kong flags flutter as screens display the Hang Seng Index outside the Exchange Square complex, which houses the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, on January 21, 2021 in Hong Kong, China.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
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Romantic connections will sweeten up by April 30 regardless, as your amorous ruler Venus finally flutters back into your relationship sector, softening your heart to the healing magic of love.—
Nina Kahn,
StyleCaster,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, annual fan conventions have been known to draw over 100,000 spectators.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Mary Magdalene, as the patron saint of outcasts, seemed to draw them in, welcoming skeptics like me to make room in our minds for more complex possibilities.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over 12,000 glowing Amazon ratings back up the hype.—
Becca Blond,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s physical on Friday was conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and his team promised glowing results.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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