beat
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for beat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To hit repeatedly, or to defeat someone in a contest.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use beat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English bēatan, meaning "to strike or pound," an ancient Germanic verb related to words for "pushing" or "striking" in several other languages.
Full origin of beat →Frequently asked questions
What does “beat” mean?
The word “beat” means to hit repeatedly, or to defeat someone in a contest. In plain terms, to strike, to defeat, or to whisk ingredients together; also a musical rhythm, a patrol route, or (informally) exhausted.
How do you pronounce “beat”?
“Beat” is pronounced beet (/biːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “beat” in a sentence?
Here is “beat” used in a sentence: “Our team beat the reigning champions in the final.”
What part of speech is “beat”?
Depending on how it is used, “beat” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “beat” come from?
The word “beat” comes from Old English. From Old English bēatan, meaning "to strike or pound," an ancient Germanic verb related to words for "pushing" or "striking" in several other languages.
Is “beat” a common word?
“Beat” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “beat” have?
“Beat” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit repeatedly, or to defeat someone in a contest.
What is the difference between beat and win?
You beat an opponent, but you win a contest. 'Beat' focuses on the person or team you defeat, as in 'We beat them 3-0'. 'Win' focuses on the prize or match itself, as in 'We won the final'. Both describe victory, but they take different objects in a sentence.
What is the past tense of beat?
'Beat' is irregular. The base form and the past tense are the same, so you say 'They beat us yesterday'. The past participle, however, is 'beaten', as in 'We had beaten them before'. Only the participle changes spelling, which is why 'beated' is never correct.
What are the different meanings of beat?
As a verb, 'beat' mainly means to strike something repeatedly or to defeat someone in a contest. It can also mean to mix vigorously, as in beating eggs, or the steady thumping of a heart. As a noun it refers to a rhythm in music. Context makes the intended sense clear.
What is an example of beat in a sentence?
In the striking sense: 'Rain beat against the windows all night'. In the contest sense: 'She beat the defending champion in straight sets'. Both are everyday uses, one describing repeated physical blows and the other a victory over an opponent. The meaning depends on the surrounding words.