as in defeating
to achieve a victory over
at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts
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Recent Examples of besting
That gold came in the men’s competition, with a team led by John Shuster upsetting Canada in the semifinals, then besting Sweden in the final.
—
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
By painting rivals as tools of the Jews, hard-right influencers such as Carlson and Bannon hope to delegitimize the competition not by besting their ideas, but by slurring their loyalties and identity.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
The Southern Alberta club last played on Thursday, besting the Diamond Valley Rockies in a shootout.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 3 Feb. 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, 30 Jan. 2026
But when the scores went up, Sotnikova had accomplished a major upset, besting Kim by over five points.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Every single poll has shown Cooper besting Whatley.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint was my go-to for most of last year, besting several formulas (including those double the price) in my extensive collection.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
The 61-point win was UT's most-lopsided victory in a Big 12 or SEC game, besting a 90-39 thrashing of Texas Tech in 2018.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
By painting rivals as tools of the Jews, hard-right influencers such as Carlson and Bannon hope to delegitimize the competition not by besting their ideas, but by slurring their loyalties and identity.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
The Southern Alberta club last played on Thursday, besting the Diamond Valley Rockies in a shootout.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 3 Feb. 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, 30 Jan. 2026
But when the scores went up, Sotnikova had accomplished a major upset, besting Kim by over five points.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Every single poll has shown Cooper besting Whatley.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint was my go-to for most of last year, besting several formulas (including those double the price) in my extensive collection.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 22 Jan. 2026
The 61-point win was UT's most-lopsided victory in a Big 12 or SEC game, besting a 90-39 thrashing of Texas Tech in 2018.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for besting
Verb
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For the Chinese Communist Party, which stakes its claim to legitimacy on defeating Japanese invaders during World War II, that would be an unforgivable outrage.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Big Game Seattle Seahawks' players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Despite the long history of elite WTA players mastering the art of the moonball, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber chief among them, sending tennis balls into the atmosphere still draws out the sport’s eternal, often cursed relationship between style and ethics.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The percentage of third-graders mastering grade level performance in reading increased from 18% in 2024 to 21% in 2025, according to officials.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Patriots finished 14-3 but defeated only one team with a winning record in the regular season, beating up on the likes of the Jets (twice), Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals en route to an AFC East title.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At UChicago Medicine, doctors use an AI called Ambient, a note-taking tool that records patient visits and then writes detailed notes for the doctors.—
Audrina Sinclair,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Behind forceful nights from Nic Claxton, who scored a career-high 28 points, and Noah Clowney, who added 22, and with three rookies taking full advantage of their minutes, the Nets found just enough offense to beat the Chicago Bulls 123-115 at Barclays Center.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most Americans don’t want our nation to be an imperial aggressor threatening, conquering and plundering weaker nations.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
2 Feb. 2026
-
And with his lengthy playing career under the all-conquering Sir Alex Ferguson, Carrick can lay claim to such heritage.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ukrzaliznytsia is responding to the intensity and growing accuracy of Russian attacks by trying to protect critical points on the system and by dispatching rapid recovery teams.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In the playoffs, with QB Drake Maye struggling, the Patriots leaned on their defense, dispatching the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans in the first two rounds.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Besting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/besting. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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