Besting – Definition & Meaning

In today’s world, there are several words that are used frequently, but their meanings are not always clear. One such word is ‘besting.’ While it may sound like a simple term, its definition and usage can vary depending on the context. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of the word ‘besting.’.

Definitions

The term ‘besting’ is commonly used to describe the act of surpassing or outdoing someone or something. It refers to achieving a higher level of success or excellence than others. It can also be used to describe the act of defeating someone in a competition or contest.

Origin

The origin of the word ‘besting’ can be traced back to the Old English word ‘bēatan,’ which means ‘to beat.’ Over time, the word evolved to ‘besten,’ which meant ‘to excel’ or ‘to surpass.’ The modern-day version of the word, ‘besting,’ is a derivative of this.

Meaning in different dictionaries

The meaning of ‘besting’ is consistent across different dictionaries. Merriam-Webster defines it as ‘to outdo or surpass.’ The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as ‘to defeat or outdo someone.’ Cambridge Dictionary defines it as ‘to do better than someone or something else.’.

Associations

The term ‘besting’ is often associated with competition, success, and achievement. It is commonly used in sports, business, and other fields where individuals or teams strive to outdo their competitors.

Synonyms

There are several synonyms for the word ‘besting,’ including outdoing, surpassing, excelling, defeating, and winning.

Antonyms

The antonyms of ‘besting’ include losing, failing, falling short, and underperforming.

The same root words

The word ‘besting’ is derived from the Old English word ‘bēatan,’ which means ‘to beat.’ Other words that are derived from this root word include ‘beat,’ ‘beaten,’ and ‘beating.’.

Example Sentences

1. She was determined to best her opponent and win the championship.
2. The company’s profits have been steadily increasing, besting their competitors in the market.
3. He was confident that he could best his colleagues in the upcoming sales competition.
4. Despite her best efforts, she was unable to best her personal record in the race.
5. The team was thrilled to have finally bested their long-time rivals in the championship game.