beat 1 of 3

Definition of beatnext
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as in to throb
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute

Synonyms & Similar Words

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beat

2 of 3

noun

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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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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beat

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adjective

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 beat
Verb
The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly’s snap shot from the high slot that beat Ducks goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation. Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 In the near term, the overriding goal is to beat the Chinese to the lunar surface. Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
The plot centered on a choice between ambition and friendship, and the emotional beats hold up years later. Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026 Eventually, amid depth-charge bass blasts and Spikeheart’s death-metal growls, a beat assembles itself, at first vaguely trap-like, then closer in spirit to UK funky. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Past that, the Xavier school looks pretty beat to hell in the scenes before that. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Jan. 2026 Shopping around Macy’s beat Wall Street’s top- and bottom-line expectations for the third quarter this morning, posting its strongest growth in more than three years. Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beat
Verb
  • The department shared photos of Ziggy, still wearing a bandage on his left hind leg, jumping up and licking Spring's face during a recent visit.
    Neal Riley, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Seals off The San Diego Seals (6-8) are off this weekend and licking their wounds following a crushing 9-8 home loss to Buffalo on Saturday.
    Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Argyle defeated Abilene Wylie 2-0 on Friday.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • And the Marlins would defeat one of the worst teams in the history of baseball, the Colorado Rockies, 2-1.
    Greg Cote Updated March 27, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Later that day, the spacecraft will reach a distance of some 248,650 miles from Earth — the exact number is not yet known — equaling and then surpassing a record set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Swooping around the moon's far side, the astronauts aboard Orion are expected to travel farther from Earth than any humans ever have – surpassing the record of 248,655 miles set in 1970 during the infamous Apollo 13 mission.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The collection consists of the sneaker brand’s UNO sneakers (which, PSA, are a fab Nike Air Max alternative), Arch Fit, and Slip-Ins—all of which include some of the most impressive cushioning and support, so your feet won’t throb after standing for hours in a field.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The smoke kept rising and the clouds continued to throb with sickly yellow-and-black whorls until just after sunset, when the boiling mass of vapor suddenly turned pink and scarlet, like a poisonous flower opening its petals.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Patrick Kane took a shot from the point that fluttered through traffic and bounced off Compher, who was parked at the goalpost.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • There’s a Super 8 projector pointed at a set of red velvet curtains, which flutter apart only for the man himself.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Chris Kuhns, who worked as an investigator in the BOI for 20 years and wrote the shelved report into Ramirez’s death, was frustrated by the unit’s inability to accomplish what it was required to do by law.
    Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While experts say the funds are beginning to make a difference, the sluggish pace of spending in some communities, from the wine country of Grand Traverse County to mid-Michigan's Eaton County, has frustrated some state leaders.
    CBS News, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The close relationship between Lewandowski and Noem drew scrutiny.
    Nate Raymond, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Protesters gathered again in October, drawing even bigger numbers in the Bay Area.
    Laura A. Oda, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Jupiter will appear as a steady star-like object glowing brightly 5 degrees to the lower right of the lunar disk — roughly the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length against the sky.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Folks would dip dresses and suits in glowing, phosphorescent paint and wear them around town performing various pranks or artistic displays.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beat. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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