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beat

 
 
pronunciation:
bit
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, adjective
phrases:
beat about the bush, beat around the bush, beat it, beat up
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Homophone Note, Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: beats, beating, beat, beaten
definition 1: to hit (someone or something) repeatedly.
They beat the drums loudly.The thugs beat him in the face.
synonyms:
club, drub, flail, knock, pommel, pound, pummel
similar words:
baste, batter, bludgeon, buffet, cane, clobber, cudgel, flog, hammer, lambaste, lash, lather, lick, scourge, thrash, thwack, trounce, wallop, whale, whomp
definition 2: to win against; defeat.
She beat him at tennis.
synonyms:
best, defeat, drub, lick, whip, worst
similar words:
ace, clobber, conquer, cream, crush, down, hammer, lambaste, overcome, rout, shellac, thrash, trounce, vanquish, wallop, whale, whomp
definition 3: to shape or make by striking.
He beats metal into jewelry.
synonyms:
forge, mold, shape, work
similar words:
fashion, form, hammer, knock, make, tap
definition 4: to stir rapidly.
Beat the eggs.
synonyms:
blend, whisk
similar words:
churn, cream, mix, stir, whip
definition 5: to hurt (someone) by beating (sometimes fol. by "up").
The guards beat the prisoners often.The bullies beat up the new kid on the first day of school.
synonyms:
batter, knock around
similar words:
drub, flog, hide, lick, rough up, thrash, trounce, wallop
definition 6: to be preferable to.
Sitting sure beats standing.
similar words:
outdo, surpass, top
definition 7: to be very unclear to; perplex.
It beats me how he always wins.
synonyms:
baffle, confound, mystify, perplex, puzzle
similar words:
bewilder
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to hit repeatedly.
The waves beat against the shore.
synonyms:
pound
similar words:
batter, hammer, hit, knock, smite, strike
definition 2: to move with a regular rhythm; pulsate.
She is very weak, but her heart is beating steadily.
synonyms:
pound, pulsate, pulse, throb
similar words:
hammer, palpitate, thud, thump
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a stroke or blow, often in a series.
synonyms:
blow, hit, stroke
similar words:
bash, bop, box, buffet, clout, cuff, punch, slap, smack, strike, thwack, wallop, whack, whomp
definition 2: a rhythmic movement that comes from within; pulsation.
the beat of a heart
synonyms:
pulsation, throb
similar words:
pulse, stroke
definition 3: musical rhythm.
 
synonyms:
rhythm
similar words:
cadence, meter, time
definition 4: one's regular professional territory or subject matter.
a policeman's beata reporter's beat
similar words:
area, assignment, circuit, precinct, rounds, route, territory, zone
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: (informal) very tired; exhausted.
synonyms:
dead, exhausted, fagged, tuckered out, worn-out
similar words:
done in, drained, fatigued, jaded, prostrate, tired, wasted, weary
definition 2: of or pertaining to the Beat Generation of the 1950s, or its adherents.
similar words:
rebel
phrase: beat about the bush, beat around the bush, beat it, beat up
derivation: beatable (adj.)
Homophone Note
Are you looking for the word beet (a dark red vegetable)? Beat and beet sound alike but have different meanings.
Word Builder: beat +
  • beating:
    punishment in the form of physical violence.
  • beater:
    a device used to beat eggs, cream, or other liquid food.
Word Explorer
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  cook, game, milk, music