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
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Conclave and Wicked went into the ceremony leading this year’s film nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
In his first full season as an NHL coach, Hiller equaled team bests for wins (48) and points (105) and broke the record for home wins (31).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
In football, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (No. 4 at $137 million) bested his own $107.5 million from 2021, and in baseball, New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (No. 7, $114 million) kept Shohei Ohtani (No. 9, $102.5 million) from pushing up his $85.3 million mark from last year.
—Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Adjective
In the end, Gangs of New York went home empty-handed despite its 10 nods, and Rob Marshall’s Chicago won best picture.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2025
Conclave and Wicked went into the ceremony leading this year’s film nominees with 11 nods each, including for the top prize of best picture.
—Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Ghost bests the Grateful Dead nearly four times over.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
In his first full season as an NHL coach, Hiller equaled team bests for wins (48) and points (105) and broke the record for home wins (31).
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Verb
Sophomore Benjamin Adams bested his senior teammate Benjamin Anderson, 9:07:93 to 9:08.60.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
In football, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (No. 4 at $137 million) bested his own $107.5 million from 2021, and in baseball, New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (No. 7, $114 million) kept Shohei Ohtani (No. 9, $102.5 million) from pushing up his $85.3 million mark from last year.
—Brett Knight, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for best
Recent Examples of Synonyms for best
Noun
-
Moderator Jean-Marie Durand was visibly intrigued by Coccia’s colorful attire, which included a pair of psychedelic Puma MB.04 LaMelo Ball Scooby Doo sneakers.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
-
Speaking of attire, Max Azria, founder of women’s fashion brand BCBG (not to be confused with CBGB, the legendary dive bar turned NYC punk nirvana), likely found the six-bedroom layout perfect for his eye for fashion.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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As Hollywood honors the man who’s roasted its elite with such precision, to be roasted for eternity by the Hollywood sun sounds fitting.—
Ali Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
-
Coach or no coach, the world no.43 needs to solve the strategy as well as the physical puzzle to challenge the elite.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Lightweight pants offer a breezy, stylish alternative—perfect for keeping cool without ever reaching for a pair of shorts.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2025
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Function is priority, but practical can be stylish.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
His journey from Bollywood costume designer to global fashion icon represents the arrival of Indian fashion as an undeniable force on the world stage.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Born with dwarfism on Aug. 23, 1963 in Plainwell, Michigan, Edward Gale made his debut wearing the costume as the titular Marvel character in Howard the Duck (1986), which was voiced by Chip Zien.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Goal of the season This was a choice between Bowen’s superb strike from outside the box against Ipswich and his volley against Forest.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Automating Reputation Management Online reputation drives consumer choice, with 91% looking at online reviews before hiring a contractor.—
Matthew Bentley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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And while Maresca’s position as head coach isn’t greatly consolidated by winning the least of them, defeat to Betis would have hurt him.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Florida is 48-15 on the season and defeated its conference foe, Georgia, in the Super Regional.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Old Midleton Distillery, with its elegant stone facade, was originally a woolen mill in the late 18th century.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Along the historic waterway system which dates from the 12th century, there are a series of patrician residences, pleasure villas, and elegant rural farmhouses that still stand, along with what remains of their parks and gardens, side-by-side with more recent houses.—
Elena Dallorso,
Architectural Digest,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Even in those first sessions, Nikola stood out for his incredible bravery when going up against older boys.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
-
That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Best.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/best. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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