BESTING Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

besting

verb

present participle of best

as in defeating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 besting Trump ripped up that deal in 2018 and has been obsessed with besting it with his own. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 After emerging from Hyundai in 2016, Genesis focused on premium features and a unique customer service model, besting its competition on price. — Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 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 The three-game series had a season-high attendance of 105,214, besting the three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers in May that drew 82,799. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026 Onley enjoyed a successful Tour last summer with only Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Florian Lipowitz besting him, and the latter rider the only one to finish faster in the white jersey (youth) classification. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 25 June 2026 The Hong Kong exchange was first in the world by IPO funds raised last year — besting the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, which came second and third respectively — according to KPMG, which noted that strong momentum in 2025 continued in the first quarter of this year. — Evelyn Cheng,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 June 2026 This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for besting

Verb

The girls posted a 6-2 record at the state tournament in a field of 50 of Southern California’s top 12U teams with several extra-inning and walk-off wins, defeating multiple district champions, including San Juan Capistrano and Oxnard.

— News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026
Another democratic socialist, 29-year-old Melat Kiros, won a congressional primary in Colorado on June 30, defeating a longtime Democratic incumbent.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of defeating

Verb

In an era where AI automates many startup tasks, mastering Strategic Fit—discovering the optimal market alignment faster than competitors—is becoming the paramount competitive advantage for founders aiming to build billion-dollar enterprises.

— Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Netanyahu, 76, has spent decades mastering political theater, sharp messaging and grand performances.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Definition of mastering

Verb

El Tri won its first knockout match at a World Cup since 1986, beating Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday night at the majestic Azteca Stadium packed with 80,824 fans.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
In May, just weeks before the ruling, the athlete won the West Virginia Class AAA girls’ shot put state championship with a throw of 38 feet, 11¾ inches, beating the runner-up by just over two feet.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of beating

Verb

The Heat is also taking a patient approach in filling out its roster for next season because a few accomplished players could soon become available on the buyout market.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Future solar missions are now going to have to start taking dust into account, said Ayaz, with dedicated detectors designed to measure dust's properties close to the Sun.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of taking

Verb

After not allowing any home runs in back-to-back starts against the Colorado Rockies, even conquering Coors Field’s hitter-friendly park, Imanaga surrendered three in Wednesday’s Game 2 win over the New York Mets.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Olivia Rodrigo Finally Hits the Downloads Chart’s Summit Rodrigo has come very close to conquering the Official Album Downloads chart in the past, but her first two studio LPs missed the throne by just one space.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of conquering

Verb

And the first round this year certainly had its shining moments – from demolishing Paraguay to tidily dispatching Australia.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
After dazzling in their opening match of this World Cup and dispatching Croatia 4-2, some felt a sense of foreboding when Ghana held Thomas Tuchel’s side to a 0-0 draw in their second.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of dispatching

Browse Nearby Words

bestiary

besting

bestir

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“Besting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besting. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of besting

verb

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