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
Will Lee For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Goncalves and her best friend Maddie Mogen, both 21, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2023
Parker Hall, WIRED, 29 Jan. 2025
Reese, a Randallstown native and St. Frances graduate who eclipsed previous career bests of 24 points and 16 rebounds, and Queen, a Baltimore resident, propelled the Terps to outscore the Fighting Illini in the paint, 62-34.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025
On a mild Sunday evening in Melbourne, world number one Jannik Sinner of Italy claimed the Australian Open’s Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, besting Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the 2025 men’s final.
—Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for best 
Adjective
But this past week in Boston has been one of the best of his career.
—Will Lee For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Goncalves and her best friend Maddie Mogen, both 21, along with Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, also 20.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2023
Noun
Adjust this setting using recording software and compare results to see what sounds bests.
—Parker Hall, WIRED, 29 Jan. 2025
Reese, a Randallstown native and St. Frances graduate who eclipsed previous career bests of 24 points and 16 rebounds, and Queen, a Baltimore resident, propelled the Terps to outscore the Fighting Illini in the paint, 62-34.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
Brady bested Mahomes in the 2018 AFC championship with the Patriots and then again with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 4 Feb. 2025
On a mild Sunday evening in Melbourne, world number one Jannik Sinner of Italy claimed the Australian Open’s Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, besting Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the 2025 men’s final.
—Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
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Reflecting on the incident, the OP speculated that her outfit, which resembled the daycare staff's attire.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The ceremony also featured a tribute to Quincy Jones, with Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson and Janelle Monáe (in full Michael Jackson attire) paying homage to the late music legend.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Centered around the drama of New York City’s elite during the 1880s—and the rapidly changing social and economic landscape of the post-Civil War era—the show serves up plenty of glamour, grandeur, and guilty pleasure.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
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Populism has pressed the claims of the less powerful against those of the landowners, the financiers, the industrialists and other species of elite.—
Ron Elving,
NPR,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Over the holidays, all of Victoria and David's children celebrated Christmas together and everyone snapped tons of stylish photos to prove it.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
1 Feb. 2025
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This stylish Kendra Scott bracelet makes a statement with its small heart and stretches to accommodate many wrist sizes.—
Jené Luciani Sena,
Fox News,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Sierra Crocker, a Fish dancer, said the fish costumes included fun, round eye glasses that resemble fish eyes.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
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The score is sweeping, the costumes impossibly intricate, and the ending fittingly bittersweet.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards 2025 was a more muted affair this year, with attendees’ fashion choices leaning more into darker tones and simple silhouettes, there remained some dynamic moments.—
Fernanda Pérez Sánchez,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2025
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This fight will likely play out all over again next week, when the Senate education committee meets for the confirmation hearing of Linda McMahon, Trump's choice to lead – and potentially unwind – the Education Department.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In response, Israel has resolved that Hamas and other extremist factions must be not just deterred but decisively defeated.—
Jane Harman,
TIME,
9 Feb. 2025
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Elsewhere in the league, Jimmy Butler made his Golden State Warriors debut, scoring 25 points to help his new team erase a 24-point third quarter deficit to defeat one of his former teams, the Chicago Bulls, 132-111.—
Issy Ronald and Jacob Lev,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Interior Designers Storie Collective Functional and elegant, this spacious family kitchen by Storie Collective features a large island and gorgeous stone aplenty.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
5 Feb. 2025
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This sheer fragrance is the perfume equivalent of a crisp white button-down—refined, elegant, and understated (and works well both on its own or layered).—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Despite the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the Recording Academy confirmed that the event will proceed as scheduled, with CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stating that the ceremony will serve as a fundraising effort for wildfire relief and honor the bravery of first responders.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
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With poise, confidence, heart, passion, kindness, utter bravery and love!!!—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near best
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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