Beat in competition

BESTED

Think of a word that means to outperform someone decisively, often used in formal or dramatic contexts—like a champion proving their superiority.

"Beat in competition" is a straightforward definition clue where the answer means to defeat or outperform someone. "Best" is a common word for winning or excelling, and adding "-ed" turns it into the past tense, making "bested" the correct verb form. There’s no hidden wordplay here—it’s a direct match between the clue’s meaning and the answer.