beat
1 of 4verb
ˈbēt 
beat; beaten ˈbē-tᵊn or beat; beating; beats
or beat; beating; beats transitive verb
1
: to strike repeatedly:
a
: to hit repeatedly so as to inflict pain
Inmates were put in solitary for beating other inmates.
—often used with up … brutes who beat up their victims without compunction …—
J. H. Plumb
J. H. Plumb b
: to walk on : tread
beat the pavement looking for work
c
: to strike directly against forcefully and repeatedly : dash against
waves beating the shore
beat the door with her fists
d
: to flap or thrash at vigorously
a trapped bird beating the air
e
hunting : to strike at in order to rouse game
beating a hedgerow
also : to range over in or as if in quest of game
… beat the woods and rouse the bounding prey … —Matthew Prior
Matthew Prior f
: to mix by stirring : whip
beat the eggs
—often used with up g
: to strike repeatedly in order to produce music or a signal
beat a drum
2
a
: to drive or force by blows
beat back his attackers
b
: to pound into a powder, paste, or pulp
c
: to make by repeated treading or driving over
beat a path through the woods
d(1)
: to dislodge by repeated hitting
beat dust from the carpet
(2)
: to lodge securely by repeated striking
beat a stake into the ground
e
: to shape by beating
beat swords into plowshares
especially : to flatten thin by blows
f
: to sound or express especially by drumbeat
beating out a rhythm on the conga
3
: to cause to strike or flap repeatedly
a bird beating its wings
4
a
: overcome, defeat
beat the insurgents in a bloody battle
beating your opponent in chess
They beat us 14 to 3.
also : surpass
She beat the old record by three seconds.
—often used with out Someone else beat her out for the job.
b
: to prevail despite
beat the odds
c
: bewilder, baffle
it beats me how she does it
d(1)
: fatigue, exhaust
(2)
: to leave dispirited, irresolute, or hopeless
Years of failure had beaten him down.
e
: cheat, swindle
beat him out of his inheritance
5
a(1)
: to act ahead of usually so as to forestall
I was going to make the suggestion, but she beat me to it.
(2)
journalism : to report a news item in advance of
beat the other networks
b
: to come or arrive before
I beat him to the finish line.
c
: circumvent
beat the system
d
sports : to outmaneuver (a defender) and get free
The player attempts to beat the defender and score.
e
sports : to score against (a goalkeeper)
6
: to produce (music or a signal) by striking something repeatedly : to indicate by beating
beat the tempo
intransitive verb
1
a
: to become forcefully propelled forward : dash
waves beating against the shore
b
: to glare or strike with oppressive intensity
The sun beat down on us.
c
: to sustain distracting activity
… the turbulence of the Renaissance … beating about his head …—Douglas Stewart
Douglas Stewart d
: to strike a drum repeatedly : to beat a drum
The drummers kept beating.
2
a(1)
: pulsate, throb
Her heart beat wildly.
(2)
: tick
the beating of a clock
b
: to sound upon being struck
the sound of a beating drum
3
a
: to strike repeated blows
beating on the door
… their air attack still beating upon us …—Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill b
: to strike the air : flap
The bird's wings beat frantically.
c
hunting : to strike bushes or other cover in order to rouse game
also : to range or scour for or as if for game
4
: to progress with much difficulty
5
nautical : to sail to windward by a series of zigzag movements
beating along the coast
beatable
ˈbē-tə-bəl
adjective beat
2 of 4noun (1)
1
a
: a single stroke or blow especially in a series
a single beat on a drum
also : pulsation, tick
b
: a sound produced by or as if by beating (see beat entry 1)
dance to the beat of the drums
listening to the beat of his heart
c
: a driving impact or force
… the full force of the surf beat …—Joyce Allan
Joyce Allan… the fierce beat of the eastern sun.—T. B. Costain
T. B. Costain2
: one swing of the pendulum or balance (see balance entry 1 sense 9) of a timepiece
3
a
: a regularly traversed round (see round entry 3 sense 6a)
a cop patrolling her beat
b
journalism : a group of news sources that a reporter covers regularly
a reporter on the beat
4
a
: a metrical or rhythmic stress in poetry or music or the rhythmic effect of these stresses
four beats per bar
keeping a steady beat
b
music : the tempo indicated (as by a conductor) to a musical performer
c
music : the pronounced rhythm (see rhythm sense 2b) that is the characteristic driving force in some types of music (such as jazz or rock)
music with a Latin beat
also : rock entry 2 sense 2
5
a
: one that excels
I've never seen the beat of it
b
journalism : the reporting of a news story ahead of competitors
6
: deadbeat
7
nautical
a
: an act of sailing toward the side or direction from which the wind is blowing by a series of zigzag movements : an act of beating (see beat entry 1 sense intransitive 5) to windward
b
: one of the reaches (see reach entry 2 sense 1) in the zigzag course so traversed : tack
8
physics : each of the pulsations of amplitude (see amplitude sense 1a) produced by the union of sound or radio waves or electric currents having different frequencies
9
dance : an accented stroke (as of one leg or foot against the other)
10
: moment
waited a beat before responding
beatless
ˈbēt-ləs
adjective beat
3 of 4adjective
1
a
: being in a state of exhaustion : exhausted
Sometimes I'd be so beat that I'd flop down and go to sleep fully dressed.—Polly Adler
Polly Adler b
: sapped of resolution or morale
2
often capitalized [earliest in beat generation; perhaps in part by association with beat entry 2 in sense "pronounced rhythm" or -beat in deadbeat entry 1] : of, relating to, or being beatniks
beat poets
beat
4 of 4noun (2)
often capitalized
: beatnik
Phrases
beat about the bush or beat around the bush : to fail or refuse to come to the point in discourse
Stop beating around the bush and tell me what you want.
: to leave in haste
1
: to hurry away : scram
2
: hurry, rush
: to try intently to resolve something difficult by thinking
I beat my brains out trying to figure it out.
: to search thoroughly through all possible areas
: to proclaim as meritorious or significant : publicize vigorously
beating the drum for their candidate
: to defeat or surpass overwhelmingly
We vowed to beat the pants off them next time.
: to escape or evade the penalties connected with an accusation or charge
: to attack physically or verbally
She was getting beat up on by her critics.
: in a very energetic or forceful manner
talking away to beat the band
chiefly US : to have difficulty in continuing : to stop or hesitate briefly —often used in negative constructions
A few minutes later, the power cuts out …, but Achmed doesn't miss a beat; clearly, he's used to this.—Eric Weiner
Eric Weiner
Synonyms
Verb
- bash
- baste
- bat
- batter
- belabor
- belt
- birch
- bludgeon
- buffet
- bung up
- club
- curry
- do
- drub
- fib [British]
- flog
- hammer
- hide
- lace
- lambaste
- lambast
- lash
- lather
- lick
- maul
- mess (up)
- paddle
- pelt
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- punch out
- rough (up)
- slate
- slog
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- thresh
- thump
- tromp
- wallop
- whale
- whip
- whop
- whap
- whup
- work over
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Adjective
- all in
- aweary [archaic]
- beaten
- bleary
- burned-out
- burnt-out
- bushed
- dead
- done
- drained
- exhausted
- fatigued
- jaded
- knackered [British]
- limp
- logy
- loggy
- played out
- pooped [slang]
- prostrate
- spent
- tapped out
- tired
- tuckered (out)
- washed-out
- wearied
- weary
- wiped out
- worn
- worn-out
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He beat the dust out of the rug with a stick. She used a hammer to beat the metal into shape. She used a hammer to beat the nail into the wall. The dented metal was beaten flat. The waves were beating the shore. He beat at the door with his fists. The waves were beating on the shore. The rain beat on the roof. They beat him with clubs. a man accused of beating his wife Adjective Let me sit down. I'm absolutely beat! can we pick this up tomorrow, because I'm beat? See More
Recent Examples on the WebStephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2023 The first Super Bowl involving both No. 1 seeds since the Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 in February 2018 lived up to its hype. —Rob Maaddi, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Feb. 2023 As Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat reporter Jon Ledyard of Pewter Report pointed out after the game, the quality of officiating won’t change unless the players push for it. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023 Lerner was born in 1925, the year after the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in the World Series. —Stephen Whyno, ajc, 13 Feb. 2023 The first Super Bowl involving both No. 1 seeds since the Eagles beat the Patriots in February 2018 lived up to its hype. —Rob Maaddi, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2023 Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles at the big game on Sunday evening, the athlete, 27, shared a photo on his Instagram Story documenting his post-game festivities. —Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2023 The first Super Bowl involving both No. 1 seeds since the Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 in February 2018 lived up to its hype. —Dallas News, 12 Feb. 2023 Fred VanVleet scored 35 points, topping 30 for a career-best ninth time this season, and Pascal Siakam added 28 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the visiting Detroit Pistons 119-118 Sunday for their fourth win in five games. —San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2023 Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2023 Some narrative cartwheels are pulled in order to get the gang back together, with one particularly timely story beat calling back to the previous incarnation’s Great Recession roots. —Erik Adams, Chron, 16 Feb. 2023 He has twice been named one of the top 10 beat writers in the country by the AP Sports Editors. —Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023 Collins is fresh off her beat as White House correspondent for CNN with no previous experience as an anchor. —Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023 The only genre that takes a hit is electronic music, where the beat drops are much more subdued. —Dan Roe, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has made a name for herself by creating unapologetic, unfiltered lyrics about the imperfections of the human experience, all sung to an undeniably catchy beat. —Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 Sonos declined to use the beat as justification for raising its revenue projection for the full fiscal year ending in September. —Dan Gallagher, WSJ, 9 Feb. 2023 But even though consumption is rising, the energy transition isn’t losing a beat as fossil fuel use is expected to decline while renewable energy sources and nuclear power will fill more than 90% of the new demand. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2023 Lily Moayeri, Variety, 2 Dec. 2022 Reporting knowledge of specific game strategy is a no-no for a beat reporter. —oregonlive, 14 Oct. 2022 He’s handled that well, leaning on those ex-beat reporter’s instincts to quickly identify angles and story lines. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 The reason these heart-music mappings work is because abnormal heart rhythms tend to form simple inter-beat-interval ratios. —Grace Leslie, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2021 The same way that a shoe ties an outfit together or a good headband can tie a wig together, a lip color can have just the same impact on a beat face. —Essence, 28 July 2021 That information, known as inter-beat intervals, could help doctors gauge how well your heart is functioning. —Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2021 See More
Verb
When Evans got sidetracked after Williams beat him, Williams began to fully feel the pressure of being the NFL’s only Black starting quarterback. —Stephen Borelli, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2023 The first Super Bowl involving both No. 1 seeds since the Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 in February 2018 lived up to its hype. —Rob Maaddi, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Feb. 2023 As Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat reporter Jon Ledyard of Pewter Report pointed out after the game, the quality of officiating won’t change unless the players push for it. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023 Lerner was born in 1925, the year after the Washington Senators beat the New York Giants in the World Series. —Stephen Whyno, ajc, 13 Feb. 2023 The first Super Bowl involving both No. 1 seeds since the Eagles beat the Patriots in February 2018 lived up to its hype. —Rob Maaddi, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2023 Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles at the big game on Sunday evening, the athlete, 27, shared a photo on his Instagram Story documenting his post-game festivities. —Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2023 The first Super Bowl involving both No. 1 seeds since the Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33 in February 2018 lived up to its hype. —Dallas News, 12 Feb. 2023 Fred VanVleet scored 35 points, topping 30 for a career-best ninth time this season, and Pascal Siakam added 28 points as the Toronto Raptors beat the visiting Detroit Pistons 119-118 Sunday for their fourth win in five games. —San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2023 Noun
Thirty seconds a beat seems a bit hyperbolic, but Certified Trapper is a prolific artist who dropped a whopping 14 mixtapes in 2022 alone (even while being incarcerated last summer). —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2023 Some narrative cartwheels are pulled in order to get the gang back together, with one particularly timely story beat calling back to the previous incarnation’s Great Recession roots. —Erik Adams, Chron, 16 Feb. 2023 He has twice been named one of the top 10 beat writers in the country by the AP Sports Editors. —Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023 Collins is fresh off her beat as White House correspondent for CNN with no previous experience as an anchor. —Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023 The only genre that takes a hit is electronic music, where the beat drops are much more subdued. —Dan Roe, Popular Mechanics, 14 Feb. 2023 The 23-year-old singer-songwriter has made a name for herself by creating unapologetic, unfiltered lyrics about the imperfections of the human experience, all sung to an undeniably catchy beat. —Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2023 Sonos declined to use the beat as justification for raising its revenue projection for the full fiscal year ending in September. —Dan Gallagher, WSJ, 9 Feb. 2023 But even though consumption is rising, the energy transition isn’t losing a beat as fossil fuel use is expected to decline while renewable energy sources and nuclear power will fill more than 90% of the new demand. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2023 Adjective
The key to making real money is licensing a beat multiple times. —Lily Moayeri, Variety, 2 Dec. 2022 Reporting knowledge of specific game strategy is a no-no for a beat reporter. —oregonlive, 14 Oct. 2022 He’s handled that well, leaning on those ex-beat reporter’s instincts to quickly identify angles and story lines. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 The reason these heart-music mappings work is because abnormal heart rhythms tend to form simple inter-beat-interval ratios. —Grace Leslie, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2021 The same way that a shoe ties an outfit together or a good headband can tie a wig together, a lip color can have just the same impact on a beat face. —Essence, 28 July 2021 That information, known as inter-beat intervals, could help doctors gauge how well your heart is functioning. —Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English beten, from Old English bēatan; akin to Old High German bōzan to beat
Noun (1)
noun derivative of beat entry 1
Adjective
from past participle of beat entry 1
Noun (2)
from beat entry 3 in beat generation, or by shortening of beatnik
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (2)
1957, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing beat
Kids Definition
beat
1 of 3 verb ˈbēt
beat; beaten ˈbēt-ᵊn or beat; beating
or beat; beating 1
a
: to hit again and again
beat a drum
rain beating on the roof
—often used with up two bullies beat him up
b
: to flap against
wings beating the air
c
: to mix by stirring : whip
beat two eggs
2
a
: to drive or force by blows
beat off the intruder
b
: to make by walking or riding over
beat a path
c
: to shape by blows
beat gold into thin strips
3
: to cause to strike or flap repeatedly
birds beating their wings
4
a
: to win against : defeat
b
: baffle entry 1 sense 1
it beats me where they are
c
: surpass sense 1
can you beat that?
5
a
: to act ahead of
beat me to the punch
b
: to arrive before
beat us home
6
: to measure or mark off by strokes
beat time to the music
7
: to glare or strike harshly
the sun beats down
8
: pulsate, throb
the heart beating
beater noun
beat
2 of 3 noun1
a
: a stroke or blow especially in a series
b
: pulsation
c
: a sound produced by or as if by beating
the beat of waves against the rock
2
a
: a rhythmic stress in poetry or music
b
: the tempo given to a musical performer
c
: rhythm sense 2
likes music with a Latin beat
3
: a place or area regularly visited in the course of work or duty
a police officer's beat
a reporter's beat
beat
3 of 3 adjective1
: being tired out
2
: having lost one's morale
Medical Definition
beat
1 of 2 intransitive verb ˈbēt
beat; beaten ˈbēt-ᵊn or beat; beating
or beat; beating : pulsate, throb
beat
2 of 2 noun : a single stroke or pulsation (as of the heart)
ectopic beats
see extrasystole beat 1 of 3
verb
1
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly they attacked and beat him, but fortunately he'll be fine Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lick
- pound
- whip
- hide
- knock
- lash
- punch
- hit
- thump
- do
- slap
- attack
- pelt
- batter
- smash
- pummel
- assault
- spank
- bludgeon
- maul
- bat
- slam
- chop
- hammer
- thrash
- bash
- paddle
- smack
- punch out
- club
- whack
- flog
- work over
- drub
- raid
- switch
- wallop
- storm
- whup
- curry
- belt
- box
- slate
- swipe
- tan
- buffet
- thresh
- whale
- lather
- slog
- beat up on
- crack
- wound
- bung up
- fib
- birch
- lace
- whop
- lambaste
- belabor
- whap
- pommel
- rush
- lambast
- baste
- tromp
- cudgel
- swat
- rough (up)
- clobber
- assail
- thwack
- paste
- strap
- mess (up)
- cane
- lay on
- bust
- beset
- wham
- sock
- flagellate
- clout
- cuff
- scourge
- blackjack
- leather
- whomp
- descend (on or upon)
- lacerate
- lam
- pistol-whip
- mutilate
- maim
- cowhide
- horsewhip
- mangle
- fustigate
- pounce (on or upon)
- gore
- jump (on)
- rawhide
2
as in to defeat
to achieve a victory over she always beats everyone at checkers, but she's not as good at chess Synonyms & Similar Words
- defeat
- overcome
- master
- get
- stop
- conquer
- take
- dispatch
- subdue
- best
- lick
- surmount
- succeed
- worst
- get around
- upend
- trim
- overmatch
- finish
- overbear
- bury
- sweep
- surpass
- skunk
- score
- trounce
- whip
- crush
- overwhelm
- do down
- knock for a loop
- annihilate
- upset
- clobber
- get the better of
- drub
- thrash
- blow out
- exceed
- slaughter
- top
- break
- win (against)
- bomb
- blow away
- outdo
- triumph (over)
- vanquish
- prevail (over)
- better
- excel
- flatten
- wallop
- subjugate
- rout
- cream
- overpower
- snow under
- cap
- skin
- smoke
- outshine
- flourish
- nose out
- excel
- pip
- outdistance
- overthrow
- unseat
- knock over
- outfight
- transcend
- outstrip
- wax
- eclipse
- shellac
- edge (out)
- knock off
- overtop
- ace (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose (to)
- fall
- fail
- give up
- fold
- wash out
- flunk
- collapse
- go under
- flop
- go down
3
as in to surpass
to be greater, better, or stronger than this new animated feature sure beats everything else that's ever been done in animation Synonyms & Similar Words
- surpass
- exceed
- top
- better
- eclipse
- outdo
- outclass
- outmatch
- outshine
- excel
- outdistance
- outgun
- outstrip
- defeat
- transcend
- overcome
- master
- outrun
- overtop
- outpace
- trounce
- run rings around
- best
- outrace
- outperform
- overshadow
- clobber
- run circles around
- subdue
- drub
- lick
- conquer
- trump
- worst
- whip
- shame
- go one better
- surmount
- thrash
- outweigh
- one-up
- overmatch
- rout
- tower (over)
- wallop
- crush
- outcompete
- overpass
- trim
- skunk
- overbear
- outbalance
- win (against)
- triumph (over)
- prevail (over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose (to)
4
as in to pulse
to expand and contract in a rhythmic manner the patient's heart beats roughly 60 times per minute Synonyms & Similar Words
- pulse
- throb
- palpitate
- vibrate
- pulsate
- pit-a-pat
- tremble
- pitter-patter
- fluctuate
- quiver
- oscillate
5
as in to flutter
to move or cause to move with a striking motion the bird's wings beat strongly as it soared in the air Synonyms & Similar Words
- flutter
- flap
- whip
- knock
- flail
- wave
- thump
- smack
- flop
- bang
- flick
- sway
- pulse
- spank
- swing
- batter
- pound
- flicker
- buffet
- fan
- flit
- throb
- oscillate
- palpitate
- undulate
6
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal you beat me to it Synonyms & Similar Words
- frustrate
- defeat
- thwart
- hamper
- baffle
- prevent
- overcome
- checkmate
- foil
- balk
- stop
- hinder
- impede
- handicap
- halt
- block
- tie up
- set back
- discomfit
- hobble
- arrest
- check
- hold back
- nullify
- stall
- preclude
- forestall
- conquer
- obstruct
- neutralize
- shackle
- clog
- counteract
- offset
- inhibit
- avert
- bar
- encumber
- obviate
- fetter
- manacle
- interfere (with)
- negate
- trammel
- short-circuit
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- forward
- encourage
- promote
- assist
- advance
- cultivate
- aid
- further
- nurture
- foster
- ease
- facilitate
- smooth
- abet
7
as in to draw
to shape with a hammer the medieval artisans who beat iron into exquisite swords Synonyms & Similar Words
- draw
- hammer
- forge
- pound
- carve
- fashion
- chase
- pat
- mold
- cut
- stamp
- work
- form
- model
- sculpt
- planish
- knead
- hew
- chisel
- boast
- coin
- mint
- grave
- sculpture
- abate
- knap
8
as in to burn
to shine with a bright harsh light the tropical sun beat down on our heads without mercy Synonyms & Similar Words
- burn
- glow
- flare
- gleam
- flash
- glare
- blaze
- flame
- beam
- sparkle
- blind
- glance
- dazzle
- glint
- glisten
- radiate
- glimmer
- glitter
- shimmer
- twinkle
- daze
- bedazzle
- scintillate
- glister
9
as in to drum
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically beat the drum in a marching rhythm Synonyms & Similar Words
- drum
- tap
- bang
- pat
- rap
- hit
- pound
- clap
- knock
- thump
- smack
- bat
- whack
- slam
- bop
- hammer
- click
- thwack
- bonk
- ping
- swat
- bash
- thud
- wallop
- paste
- sock
- strike
- tip
- flick
- clatter
- clink
- chink
- chuck
- pit-a-pat
- pitter-patter
10
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty it beats me how that slipup happened Synonyms & Similar Words
- confuse
- baffle
- puzzle
- bewilder
- stun
- perplex
- get
- rattle
- embarrass
- upset
- bother
- fluster
- pose
- confound
- disturb
- mystify
- befuddle
- bamboozle
- gravel
- disorient
- muddle
- vex
- stick
- fox
- addle
- buffalo
- maze
- discombobulate
- flummox
- muddy
- bemuse
- fuddle
- blow one's mind
- unsettle
- stump
- befog
- mortify
- faze
- disconcert
- trick
- deceive
- fool
- abash
- agitate
- distress
- perturb
- go to one's head
- discountenance
- discomfit
- weird out
- unhinge
- snow
- chagrin
- discompose
- dismay
- nonplus
- delude
- mislead
- discomfort
- dupe
- take in
- beguile
- disquiet
- string along
- hoax
- gull
- hoodwink
- misguide
- cozen
- humbug
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- satisfy
- assure
- reassure
- inform
- enlighten
11
as in to evade
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness he spends all of his time trying to beat the system Synonyms & Similar Words
- evade
- circumvent
- avoid
- escape
- ignore
- bypass
- dodge
- shake
- disobey
- shortcut
- elude
- prevent
- sidestep
- outflank
- shun
- get around
- eschew
- skirt
- flout
- deflect
- duck
- disregard
- parry
- avert
- end-run
- obviate
- shirk
- ward (off)
- divert
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- keep
- obey
- follow
- observe
- comply (with)
- seek
- accept
- catch
- pursue
- embrace
- welcome
- accede (to)
- acquiesce (to)
- assent (to)
- incur
- court
- contract
12
as in to grind
to reduce to fine particles years of pounding had beaten the pebbles to a fine dust Synonyms & Similar Words
- grind
- pound
- crush
- pulverize
- smash
- disintegrate
- powder
- mill
- bray
- break
- crumble
- mull
- atomize
- grate
- fracture
- comminute
- shatter
- crunch
- fragment
- bust
- dash
- splinter
- kibble
- micronize
13
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats the screenwriter has filed a lawsuit, accusing the production company of beating him out of his share of the film's net profits Synonyms & Similar Words
- cheat
- squeeze
- pluck
- hustle
- sting
- stick
- do
- screw
- bleed
- sucker
- deceive
- trick
- short
- fiddle
- shortchange
- victimize
- stiff
- shake down
- chisel
- defraud
- diddle
- skin
- fool
- exploit
- rip off
- swindle
- bilk
- euchre
- ream
- rook
- fleece
- betray
- take for a ride
- con
- nobble
- mulct
- hose
- skunk
- gaff
- thimblerig
- take to the cleaners
- chouse
- cozen
- extort
- sell a bill of goods to
- wrench
- gouge
- flimflam
- clip
- soak
- wrest
- milk
- do in
- overcharge
- wring
- nick
- bitch
- dupe
- gull
- bamboozle
- rope (in)
- double-cross
- fast-talk
beat
2 of 3noun
1
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument delivered one hard beat on the drums Synonyms & Similar Words
- blow
- hit
- punch
- thump
- slap
- knock
- whack
- swipe
- pound
- thud
- stroke
- spank
- lick
- smack
- poke
- bang
- slam
- clap
- chop
- kick
- clip
- hook
- beating
- smash
- switch
- crack
- lash
- swat
- pick
- rap
- bop
- belt
- pelt
- bat
- hack
- bash
- pounding
- slug
- plump
- sock
- stripe
- whop
- thwack
- box
- bust
- wallop
- cuff
- douse
- wham
- buffet
- licking
- fillip
- biff
- haymaker
- dab
- knee
- clout
- stinger
- welt
- swing
- hand
- whap
- left
- counter
- larrup
- hammering
- right
- whip
- whipping
- counterpunch
- pummeling
- body blow
- thrashing
- shiver
- battering
- counterblow
- clobbering
- counterstroke
- roundhouse
- sucker punch
- bludgeoning
- knockout
- knockdown
- rabbit punch
- uppercut
- flogging
- walloping
- drubbing
- cruncher
- pummelling
- sidewinder
- one-two
- pasting
- bastinado
- kayo
- lambasting
- cudgeling
- cudgelling
- bastinade
- KO
- right-hander
2
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
- pulse
- beating
- throb
- tremor
- pulsation
- palpitation
- fluctuation
- tremble
- oscillation
- vibration
- quiver
3
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
- rhythm
- drum
- cadence
- meter
- throb
- emphasis
- accent
- measure
- sway
- stress
- swing
- movement
- accentuation
- backbeat
- lilt
- trimeter
- hexameter
- tetrameter
- pentameter
4
as in minute
a very small space of time within a beat he was on the phone complaining about an error in his bill Synonyms & Similar Words
- minute
- heartbeat
- second
- moment
- shake
- split second
- instant
- trice
- wink
- jiffy
- nanosecond
- twinkle
- twinkling
- flash
- jiff
- snatch
- eyeblink
- New York minute
- microsecond
- spurt
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- age
- forever
- eternity
- lifetime
- infinity
- eon
- aeon
beat
3 of 3adjective
as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness can we pick this up tomorrow, because I'm beat? Synonyms & Similar Words
- exhausted
- tired
- beaten
- drained
- done
- weary
- worn
- wearied
- dead
- spent
- played out
- wiped out
- tapped out
- all in
- limp
- fatigued
- prostrate
- jaded
- knackered
- pooped
- bushed
- logy
- worn to a frazzle
- aweary
- weakened
- bleary
- burnt-out
- tuckered (out)
- worn-out
- loggy
- burned-out
- washed-out
- sleepy
- overworked
- overtaxed
- sapped
- debilitated
- overfatigued
- enervate
- enfeebled
- enervated
- lethargic
- sluggish
- drowsy
- broken-down
- heavy
- run-down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rested
- fresh
- rejuvenated
- unwearied
- strong
- relaxed
- refreshed
- strengthened
- tireless
- peppy
- active
- energetic
- revitalized
- invigorated
- weariless
- vitalized