When you want to express the word “beat,” there are many different ways to say it. You can use words like defeat, overcome, conquer, or triumph. Each synonym has a slightly different meaning, but all convey the idea of winning, surpassing, or being stronger. In this article, we will explore 26 synonyms for beat with examples to help you understand and use them in daily writing and speaking.
Synonym | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Defeat | To win against someone in a game, fight, or competition | Our team managed to defeat the champions in the final match. |
Overcome | To successfully deal with a problem or challenge | She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking. |
Conquer | To take control or win over someone or something | The army will conquer the city after many battles. |
Triumph | To achieve a great victory or success | The scientist’s discovery was a triumph for medical research. |
Surpass | To do better than someone or something | He managed to surpass his previous exam scores. |
Outperform | To perform better than others | Our new phone model will outperform the old one in speed. |
Vanquish | To defeat completely | The hero will vanquish the villain in the story. |
Best | To beat someone in a competition | She was able to best her opponent in the chess game. |
Prevail | To be successful after a struggle | They will prevail despite all the difficulties. |
Overpower | To have more power or strength than someone | The boxer will overpower his rival in the ring. |
Win | To achieve victory | She hopes to win the gold medal. |
Subdue | To bring under control | The firefighters managed to subdue the large fire. |
Outdo | To do something better than someone else | He wants to outdo his brother in painting skills. |
Outclass | To be clearly better than others | The athlete will outclass everyone at the race. |
Outshine | To be more impressive than others | Her performance will outshine all the others tonight. |
Defy | To resist successfully | He tried to defy the difficult rules and still succeeded. |
Rout | To defeat completely and force to retreat | The team will rout their opponents in the match. |
Trample | To defeat or crush completely | The champion will trample all challengers on the field. |
Subjugate | To bring under control by force | The general aims to subjugate the enemy territory. |
Crush | To defeat someone completely | She will crush her competition in the singing contest. |
Overwhelm | To defeat or affect someone completely | The army will overwhelm the enemy with a sudden attack. |
Annihilate | To destroy completely | The army planned to annihilate the invading forces. |
Humble | To show someone they are not as good | He wants to humble his rival after winning the game. |
Outmatch | To be stronger or better than someone | She will outmatch all her classmates in running. |
Beat | To defeat or be better than someone | He can beat anyone in a race if he tries hard enough. |
Defeat
The word defeat is one of the most common ways to say beat. It means you win against someone in a game, fight, or competition. When you defeat someone, it shows that you are stronger, better, or more skilled in that situation. Defeat can be used for sports, school competitions, or even personal challenges. Knowing how to use it correctly helps you express victories clearly. Defeat also shows an action is finished successfully.
- Our team managed to defeat the champions in the final match.
- She defeated her fears by trying new experiences.
- He defeated all his opponents in the tournament.
Overcome
Overcome means to successfully deal with a problem, fear, or challenge. When you overcome something, you fight against it and win. This word is often used for personal struggles, obstacles, or difficult situations. Overcoming is not always about beating other people; it can also mean beating your own limits. Using overcome can inspire and motivate others because it shows success through effort and persistence.
- She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking.
- He overcame the challenges in his new job.
- They overcame all obstacles to reach their goal.
Conquer
The word conquer is very strong and often means taking control or winning over someone or something. You can conquer land, challenges, or even your own fears. Conquering shows complete victory and authority. It is used in both real-life situations, like sports or battles, and in a figurative sense, like conquering challenges. Conquer shows that the victory is not small but significant.
- The army will conquer the city after many battles.
- She conquered her fear of heights by climbing a mountain.
- He conquered all difficulties to finish the project.
Triumph
Triumph is about achieving a great victory or success. It usually describes a joyful and proud feeling after winning or accomplishing something important. Triumph is a strong word that emphasizes success and celebration. People use triumph to show achievements in sports, competitions, personal goals, or even scientific discoveries. Using this word highlights both the action of winning and the happiness it brings.
- The scientist’s discovery was a triumph for medical research.
- She triumphed over her rival in the debate.
- The team triumphed after a very hard match.
Surpass
Surpass means to do better than someone or something. It shows improvement and excellence. When you surpass someone, it means your skills, performance, or results are higher. Surpass can be used in sports, school, work, or personal achievements. It shows progress and beating expectations. This word is useful when you want to emphasize growth and being ahead of others.
- He managed to surpass his previous exam scores.
- She surpassed everyone’s expectations in the competition.
- The new product will surpass old versions in quality.
Outperform
Outperform means to perform better than others in any activity. It can be used for people, machines, or teams. When you outperform, you show higher ability, efficiency, or skill. This word is useful when comparing results or achievements. Outperforming shows that someone is not only good but clearly better than the others. It is a professional and encouraging way to show success.
- Our new phone model will outperform the old one in speed.
- She outperformed all her classmates in the exam.
- The athlete outperformed everyone in the race.
Vanquish
Vanquish is a strong word meaning to defeat completely. It is often used in stories, battles, or competitions. Vanquishing someone or something shows total victory and control. This word makes your sentence powerful and shows clear success. It is usually more dramatic than defeat and is often used to show triumph over a serious challenge.
- The hero will vanquish the villain in the story.
- The army vanquished its enemies in the battle.
- He vanquished all doubts about his ability.
Best
Best means to beat someone in a competition or situation. It shows you are better and stronger than the other person. Best is often used in sports, games, or performance competitions. This word is easy to use and shows direct comparison. Best can also be used as a verb to show you have succeeded in overcoming someone or something.
- She was able to best her opponent in the chess game.
- He bested his rival in the cooking contest.
- The team bested all competitors to win the trophy.
Prevail
Prevail means to be successful after a struggle or difficulty. When you prevail, you overcome challenges and come out on top. This word is used for both personal achievements and competitions. Prevail shows strength, persistence, and patience. Using prevail emphasizes winning even when the situation is hard.
- They will prevail despite all the difficulties.
- The team prevailed after many hours of practice.
- She prevailed in the debate by staying calm.
Overpower
Overpower means to have more strength, power, or skill than someone else. It shows control and clear victory. This word is used for physical strength, mental skill, or competitions. Overpower shows clear dominance in a situation. It can describe winning in sports, fights, or even arguments.
- The boxer will overpower his rival in the ring.
- She overpowered her fears through confidence.
- The team overpowered all challengers in the match.
Win
Win is the most common way to say you beat someone or succeed. It can be used for sports, games, competitions, or personal achievements. Winning shows that you reached your goal and were stronger or better than others. It is a simple and clear word that is widely understood.
- She hopes to win the gold medal.
- He won the first prize in the painting contest.
- The team won the championship after months of hard work.
Subdue
Subdue means to bring something under control. It can be used for people, emotions, or situations. Subduing shows victory and control over a problem or challenge. This word can describe both physical and mental success. It shows effort, patience, and success in managing difficult things.
- The firefighters managed to subdue the large fire.
- He subdued his anger before talking to her.
- The army subdued the enemy quickly.
Outdo
Outdo means to do something better than someone else. It shows competition and success. Outdoing someone can be in sports, school, work, or personal skills. It emphasizes achieving more or being more skilled than others. Using outdo shows effort and accomplishment in comparison to others.
- He wants to outdo his brother in painting skills.
- She outdid all competitors in the race.
- The singer outdid her previous performance on stage.
Outclass
Outclass means to be clearly better than others in skill, talent, or performance. It shows superiority and strong victory. Outclass is often used for competitions, performances, or achievements. Using this word emphasizes being much better than anyone else.
- The athlete will outclass everyone at the race.
- She outclassed her classmates in the singing competition.
- The chef outclassed all others in the cooking contest.
Outshine
Outshine means to be more impressive or successful than others. It shows excellence and achievement. Outshining is used for talents, skills, or performances. This word focuses on standing out and winning attention.
- Her performance will outshine all the others tonight.
- He outshined his friends in the exam results.
- The team outshined their competitors in every match.
Defy
Defy means to resist or challenge and still succeed. It shows strength and victory over difficulties or rules. Defying someone or something shows courage and confidence. This word is often used in both personal and public achievements.
- He tried to defy the difficult rules and still succeeded.
- She defied all odds to complete the marathon.
- The students defied expectations by performing very well.
Rout
Rout means to defeat completely and force to retreat. It is often used in sports, battles, or competitions. Routing someone shows total victory and dominance. This word emphasizes a clear and overwhelming win.
- The team will rout their opponents in the match.
- The army routed the enemy quickly.
- He routed all rivals in the tournament.
Trample
Trample means to defeat or crush completely. It shows strong and total victory. This word is often dramatic and used for competitions or conflicts. Trampling someone indicates complete dominance over them.
- The champion will trample all challengers on the field.
- She trampled the competition in the singing contest.
- The army trampled the enemy forces during the battle.
Subjugate
Subjugate means to bring under control by force or effort. It is often used in serious competitions or struggles. Subjugating someone shows authority and victory. This word can be used for controlling challenges, enemies, or difficult situations.
- The general aims to subjugate the enemy territory.
- He subjugated his fears to achieve success.
- The leader subjugated all opposition in the debate.
Crush
Crush means to defeat someone completely. It shows strong victory and domination. Crushing someone or something leaves no doubt about who is better. This word is often used in competitions, sports, or personal challenges.
- She will crush her competition in the singing contest.
- He crushed all obstacles to finish the race.
- The team crushed their rivals in the final match.
Overwhelm
Overwhelm means to defeat or affect someone completely. It shows power and strong victory. Overwhelming someone can happen in competitions, arguments, or challenges. This word emphasizes being stronger and successful in all ways.
- The army will overwhelm the enemy with a sudden attack.
- She overwhelmed her classmates with her excellent work.
- The team overwhelmed all competitors in the championship.
Annihilate
Annihilate means to destroy completely. It is a very strong word for total defeat. Annihilating someone shows complete victory and no chance of recovery. This word is often used in stories, battles, and competitions.
- The army planned to annihilate the invading forces.
- He annihilated his competition in the chess match.
- The champion annihilated all opponents in the contest.
Humble
Humble means to show someone they are not as good by beating them. It can also mean defeating someone in a respectful way. Humbling someone shows victory and superiority. This word is often used in sports or competitions to show clear success.
- He wants to humble his rival after winning the game.
- She humbled all competitors with her performance.
- The team humbled the champions in the final match.
Outmatch
Outmatch means to be stronger, better, or more skilled than someone. It shows clear victory and superiority. Outmatching someone is often used in competitions, sports, and personal achievements. It emphasizes one person or team being ahead.
- She will outmatch all her classmates in running.
- He outmatched his opponents in the debate.
- The team outmatched everyone in the tournament.
Beat
Beat means to defeat or be better than someone. It shows winning or overcoming challenges. Beating someone can be in games, competitions, or personal struggles. This word is simple, clear, and widely used to express victory.
- He can beat anyone in a race if he tries hard enough.
- She beat all her classmates in the spelling contest.
- The team beat their rivals to win the trophy.

Final Thoughts
Using different words for beat can make your writing and speaking more interesting. Each synonym has its own meaning and shows victory in unique ways. By using these 26 words, you can express winning, success, and triumph clearly in many situations.