best 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bestnext
as in Sunday

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best

2 of 3

noun

1
as in attire
dressy clothing the family wore their best to the wedding

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

best

3 of 3

verb

as in to worst
to achieve a victory over at last she's bested her card-playing mother at the game of hearts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 best
Adjective
First, generative AI can boost productivity for novice and lower-skilled workers by more than 30%—and sometimes even more—by rapidly distributing best practices. — Usman Shuja, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 The Spaniard also collected the queen of the mountains jersey, while Lotte Kopecky finished with the points jersey and Marion Bunel was crowned best young rider. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title. — CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026 Scott William Winters plays Clark, a Harvard student who Will intellectually bests. — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Verb
Inter Miami bested New York City FC 2-0 on Wednesday evening for their first back-to-back wins since July. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 Cuellar, meanwhile, bested his opponent by more than 5 percentage points. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
  1. stylish
  2. attire
  3. elite
  4. defeat
  5. elegant
  6. costume
  7. top
  8. overcome
Adjective
  • This fully electric, ultra-compact quadricycle is designed for short urban trips—like zipping down to the shops in a golf cart, but more stylish—offering a simpler alternative to traditional cars.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In 2025, The Jay hotel in San Francisco teamed up with The Namesake, transforming a section of The Jay’s stylish Third Floor into an exclusive design studio.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of stylish
Noun
  • Before the main event kicked off, however, the glitzy Academy Gala red carpet saw all of these A-listers bring out their finest evening attire for the night.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Kendall Jenner and Hunter Schafer, in Valentino and Prada, respectively, wore two of the evening’s most compelling arguments for black and white evening attire.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • Reynolds transformed a young Pacific Islander into a monumental figure of European portraiture, giving Mai the grandeur and authority normally reserved for the elite.
    — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Their mobilization since then has mirrored a wider wave of youth protests in other countries, particularly in South Asia, where Gen Z demonstrators have challenged political elites.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of elite
Verb
  • Jackson was suspended for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after the Bills defeated the Rams, 37-34, in overtime on Monday night.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Voters, though, decisively defeated a repeal measure in 1942.
    — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Adjective
  • Signs of this history were on display amid all the adventurous modern art that made Mandell’s home seem like an elegant, circus-like wonderland.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Her elegant primary bedroom boasted a dressing area that was the picture of ’40s-movie-star luxury, complete with plush rugs, dramatic arches, and, of course, plenty of mirrors.
    — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of elegant
Noun
  • There’s also a collection of original costumes, weapons, props and production artifacts from across Villeneuve’s trilogy, including a full-scale ornithopter used in the films.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The evening, co-hosted by Vanity Fair, marked a continuation in the film’s already lengthy journey, with a suitably ambitious exhibition pulling back the curtain on costumes, puppets, props and diminutive sets.
    — Bridget Arsenault, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The ice scoop was in direct contact with the top of the machine.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The wide-leg pants keep things relaxed, and the ruched waist on the knit top adds shape and makes the whole look feel more polished than a standard sweatshirt set.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of top
Verb
  • For now, the study identifies a previously underappreciated part of the immune system that could help overcome one of SCLC’s most persistent defenses.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But Gordon has emerged as Miami’s clear lead back, capable of overcoming a poor situation.
    — Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcome

Phrases Containing best

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best
best bib and tucker
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Cite this Entry

“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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