be bested

USAGE SUMMARY

"bested" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You use it when someone is outperformed by another person or entity in a competition or challenge. For example: "The defending champion was bested by a new competitor in the final round".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Sometimes the classics cannot be bested.

The New York Times

It is draining to approach patients as possible adversaries who must be bested.

The New York Times - Health

To be bested, of course, is to be outwitted or defeated.

The New York Times

In this narrative, James is too great a hero to be bested by conventional means.

The New York Times - Books

But who do you root for if your heroine simply can't be bested?

The Guardian - Film

Not one to be bested, Ms. Wachner has just recruited her own high-profile legal team.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"Eight will be best.

The New Yorker

Overnight would be best.

WikiHow

This may be best.

WikiHow

What are best practices?

The New York Times

Normal mode is best.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be bested" to convey a sense of competition or challenge where one entity is clearly outperformed by another. It adds a touch of formality and is suitable for news reporting and analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be bested" in situations that don't involve a direct contest or comparison of skills. For example, instead of saying "He was bested by grief", which is grammatically valid, consider rephrasing to "He was overcome by grief" for greater clarity and contextual accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be bested" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to indicate that a subject has been defeated or outperformed by another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage aligns with standard English grammar. Examples show it being used in contexts where there is a clear sense of competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be bested" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase widely used to describe defeat or outperformance, particularly in competitive scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in standard English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure there is a clear element of competition or comparison. Alternatives such as "be defeated" or "be outdone" may be more appropriate in non-competitive contexts. This phrase can be successfully found in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be defeated

Direct synonym replacing "bested" with "defeated", emphasizing the act of losing.

be outdone

Implies being surpassed or exceeded in performance or achievement.

be overcome

Suggests being conquered or overwhelmed by a challenge or opponent.

be surpassed

Focuses on exceeding a limit or expectation, often in a competitive context.

be outmaneuvered

Indicates being strategically outwitted, often in a tactical situation.

be conquered

Implies a complete and decisive victory over someone or something.

be overthrown

Suggests being removed from a position of power or authority.

be subjugated

Indicates being brought under control or domination.

be vanquished

A more formal term for being completely defeated or overcome.

be trumped

Suggests being surpassed by a decisive or superior move, like in card games.

FAQs

How can I use "be bested" in a sentence?

The phrase "be bested" is used to indicate that someone or something has been defeated or outperformed. For example: "The champion was expected to win, but he was "be bested" by a newcomer."

What's a simple way to say "be bested"?

Alternatives for "be bested" include "be defeated", "be outdone", or "be overcome". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more common to use "be bested" in formal or informal writing?

"Be bested" is more frequently found in formal writing, such as news reports or analytical articles, than in casual conversation. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing when selecting this phrase.

What's the difference between "be bested" and "be defeated"?

While similar, "be bested" often implies a sense of skillful outperformance, whereas "be defeated" is a more general term for losing. Someone can "be defeated" due to bad luck, but to "be bested" suggests the opponent had superior skill or strategy.