best 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bestnext
as in Sunday

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best

2 of 3

noun

1
as in attire
dressy clothing the family wore their best to the wedding

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

best

3 of 3

verb

as in to worst
to achieve a victory over at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts

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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 best
Adjective
The Spaniard also collected the queen of the mountains jersey, while Lotte Kopecky finished with the points jersey and Marion Bunel was crowned best young rider. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 9 May 2026 First, generative AI can boost productivity for novice and lower-skilled workers by more than 30%—and sometimes even more—by rapidly distributing best practices. — Usman Shuja, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
Despite the sporadic flips between putting on offensive clinics and going silent, Nazar posted career bests of 15 goals, 26 assists and 41 points in 66 games. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026 The most productive game of his career came in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, with personal bests of 157 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Verb
Beaten by Evert in the 1975 Wimbledon semifinals, Navratilova turned the tide, besting Evert in the tournament in '78 and '79. — Eileen Finan, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Then, a week later, another DSA member, Melat Kiros, 29, bested an incumbent in Colorado who was elected to Congress before she was born. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
  1. stylish
  2. attire
  3. elite
  4. defeat
  5. elegant
  6. costume
  7. top
  8. overcome
Adjective
  • Even a 73-year-old shopper was impressed by its stylish, comfortable fit.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026
  • The culotte-style stretchy shorts are equal parts comfortable and stylish, and the high-neck top can be worn either tucked-in or down and loose.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of stylish
Noun
  • But this year, according to a dress code reviewed by The Athletic, women have been told that strapless, off-the-shoulder and spaghetti-strap attire is not permitted, with illustrations of appropriate and inappropriate wear for both men and women.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Shop More Loft Sales Talbots is the destination for elegant travel outfits and office-ready attire.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • For Eala, beating Rybakina and sharing the court with Williams reinforced her place among the game’s elite.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • The rise of the Roman empire across the Mediterranean widened the elite’s horizons for travel but narrowed their personal ambitions, and made romantic love a worthy subject for epic literature.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Definition of elite
Verb
  • Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The short version is that after defeating the Kilrathi at the climax of Wing Commander 3, Mark Hamill’s Christopher Blair retires to a backwater world to live out a life in peace and obscurity.
    — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026
Definition of defeat
Adjective
  • The result is an elegant estate where guests can have a refined Irish breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea or cocktails come sunset.
    — Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Upano’s operatic scope and clean, elegant sentences really swept me off my feet.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Noun
  • For those who love a ‘50s feel but prefer not to resemble a costume from the Spirit Halloween catalog, the On 34th minidress has that nostalgic look with a contemporary feel.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • McDaniel had purchased multiple superhero and supervillain costumes from overseas that were delivered to the two addresses, the affidavit said, citing customs records.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The matter was not on the city’s agenda but was brought on as a walk-on item at the top of the meeting.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • On the subsequent rebound, the ball found Kovačić at the top of the box, but his right-footed volley was barely deflected over the net by Diogo Costa.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of top
Verb
  • The rookie point guard overcame early shooting struggles to lead all scorers with 25 points.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • The telecommunications giant’s fight to end landline service is playing out in the FCC and federal court, amid an underlying battle over how much power the agency has to overcome decisions by states.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of overcome

Phrases Containing best

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best
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Cite this Entry

“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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