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
Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
While it isn't favored to win best picture, it's been gaining momentum and could well pull off an upset.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
As a result, while most of the athletes at the three divisional meets county-wide were hoping for personal bests, there were still those who used the meet to simply qualify and live for another week.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Evelyn Cheng,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 June 2026
Seventeen players bested her in that statistical category.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Adjective
The duo won Oscars for best picture, director and original screenplay.
—Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
While it isn't favored to win best picture, it's been gaining momentum and could well pull off an upset.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Njoku, a Pro Bowl selection in 2023 after setting career bests with 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns, gives Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert another target for the 2026 season.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
As a result, while most of the athletes at the three divisional meets county-wide were hoping for personal bests, there were still those who used the meet to simply qualify and live for another week.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Verb
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
Seventeen players bested her in that statistical category.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Adjective
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All the restaurants were bustling during my April stay with a mix of stylish locals and visitors, many from China’s megacities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
In addition to slip-on clogs and sandals, Birkenstock also produces stylish and supportive sneakers like the Bend Low sneakers, which boast cork and polyurethane (PU) midsoles that deliver top-tier shock absorption.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Tuesday's protest came in response to the widespread detention of women and girls in Herat province in recent days by the Taliban's morality police force, for alleged violations of the group's rules on attire, which require women to cover their hair and faces.—
Ahmad Mukhtar,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
The Octagon Girls couldn’t step foot on the White House lawn this weekend in their usual business attire, not for UFC Freedom 250.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
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In July 2024, Rinderknecht demanded the chatbot generate an image that showed wealthy elites dining extravagantly on one side of a wall while the world burned beyond the barricade.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
Objectively, running the full gauntlet of a classification’s elite is a steeper climb.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The Sooners clinched their CWS appearance by defeating the Kansas Jayhawks twice in the Lawrence Super Regional.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
-
On Thursday, spurred on by most of the 80,824 fans in attendance and forwards Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez, Mexico managed to defeat South Africa 2-0 and securing its first opening match victory.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Attendees marked the historic occasion dressed in traditional barongs — formalwear finely woven from piña, or pineapple fibers — as well as elegant Filipiniana outfits and ternos, the traditional formal gowns instantly recognizable by their structured butterfly sleeves.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
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Stay at Lucknam Park, an elegant country retreat near Bath.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
What’s fun about the Love Island USA challenges is the complex set designs and costumes all around a theme that isn’t entirely necessary but adds to the overall campiness of the show.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
Rather than relying on approximations, costume designer Marci Rodgers recreated each piece from the ground up, sourcing materials that matched the originals as closely as possible, even down to the thread color.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Noun
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On top of that, Folarin Balogun, 24, became the first American player since 1930 to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
How Blue Light Blocking Contact Lenses Work Blue light filtering contacts use specialized materials built into the lens itself, not a coating added on top.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The pair became friends, and Hasley went on to help write a book about Jenner’s philosophy on overcoming adversity in sports and life.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
Macron and Merz had tried for months to salvage the project and overcome differences between Airbus and Dassault.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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