has been bested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been bested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been defeated or surpassed by another person or thing. Example: "In the final match, the champion has been bested by the underdog, surprising everyone in the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Both were easily meet records, and Jacobs's time has been bested indoors by only one American woman, Mary Slaney.

The New York Times - Sports

He has been bested by younger, more dynamic fighters in recent fights, and needs to control the fight from the get-go to slow Boetsch down.

Independent

His predicament has nearly become amusing to him; he has been bested, but still regards his attacker with woeful, wanting eyes.

The New Yorker

The previous most pre-ordered DS, the DSi, has been bested by 255percentt.

TechCrunch

General Electric, up 10%, has been bested this year by gritty industrial stock General Motors, up 22%.

Forbes

If it's true, death has been bested.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The heat has been besting decades-old records here.

The New York Times

I've been bested by that transport policy titan, Christopher Biggins.

The Guardian

Still, when a ceasefire was reached, last month, it appeared as if the Israelis had been bested.

The New Yorker

Which year has been best for you?

The Guardian

My mental health has been best when I've been meeting coaches and other team members.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been bested" when you want to convey that someone or something has been definitively outdone or surpassed, often in a surprising or unexpected manner. For example, "The long-standing record has been bested by a newcomer."

Common error

Avoid using "has been bested" in highly formal or business writing where a more neutral term like "surpassed" or "exceeded" might be more appropriate. It can sound slightly informal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been bested" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has been overcome or surpassed by an external agent or force. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, which confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Literature

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been bested" is a grammatically sound way to express that something or someone has been surpassed or defeated. While less common in formal or business settings, as indicated by Ludwig AI's analysis, it's appropriate for news, sports, and general writing. Alternatives like "surpassed" or "defeated" may be suitable depending on the context. When using "has been bested", aim to highlight definitive outperformance or unexpected triumph.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been surpassed

Focuses on exceeding a limit or record previously held.

has been outdone

Highlights doing something better than someone else.

has been defeated

Directly indicates a loss or failure in competition.

has been eclipsed

Emphasizes being overshadowed or made less significant.

has been exceeded

Implies going beyond a certain level or expectation.

has been topped

Suggests reaching a higher point or level.

has been outstripped

Indicates moving faster or progressing further than someone else.

has been overcome

Implies successfully dealing with or defeating a challenge or obstacle.

has been conquered

Strongly suggests gaining control over something through force or effort.

has been triumphed over

Focuses on achieving victory despite significant difficulties.

FAQs

What does "has been bested" mean?

"Has been bested" means that someone or something has been defeated or surpassed by another. It suggests that the previous leader or record holder has been outdone.

What are some alternatives to "has been bested"?

Some alternatives to "has been bested" include "has been surpassed", "has been outdone", or "has been defeated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been bested" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been bested" may sound slightly informal. In very formal contexts, consider using a more neutral term like "surpassed" or "exceeded".

How can I use "has been bested" in a sentence?

You can use "has been bested" to indicate that someone or something has been outperformed. For example, "The champion's time has been bested by a new athlete."