bets 1 of 2

Definition of betsnext
plural of bet
1
as in stakes
the money or thing risked on the outcome of an uncertain event she offered the bet of a free lunch if her team won the World Series

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2

bets

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bet
as in wagers
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event foolishly bet a week's salary on the World Series

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bets
Noun
Of course, Wall Street is not ruled by individual trading bets. Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026 These markets, which now amass tens of billions of dollars in bets every month, are a dangerous expansion of gambling. Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 The federal government sued three states earlier this month — Connecticut, Arizona and Illinois — challenging their efforts to crack down on the proliferation of prediction market bets. Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026 Experts warn that prediction markets are stoking corruption in the US — hundreds have placed successful bets on key events in the Iran war, The New York Times reported — fueling growing calls for Congress to regulate the marketplaces to prevent officials from profiting from privileged information. Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026 The Polymarket contract for bets on whether the president will be impeached stood at 66% yesterday. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026 Other successful bets that raised suspicions have involved Google’s 2025 Year in Search, the launch of OpenAI’s AI web browser and events surrounding the war with Iran. Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026 Public health advocates believe prop bets lead to more addictive behavior, especially since gamblers can place the bets mid-game. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 Harvard researchers found $143 million in profits from Polymarket bets allegedly made by insiders with no public knowledge of major events ranging from geopolitical crises to celebrity news. Ken Sweet, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
The prediction market’s CEO, Tarek Mansour, told CNBC that bets on Bad Bunny’s first song alone exceeded $100 million in volume. Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026 If a new account opens and immediately bets on a single player micro-market, that’s suspicious. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Similarly, if an existing account that typically bets $50 on certain games suddenly places a $1,000 bet, that outlier behavior could trigger an investigation. Dian Zhang, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Told no at every turn, Stallone bets everything on himself, holding the line on playing the lead against seemingly impossible odds. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bets
Noun
  • Impairments on its stakes in its research affiliate and a forestry company contrasted with otherwise solid results from its wealth management, trading and investment-banking operations.
    Takashi Nakamichi, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Last fall, OpenAI overhauled its structure again to become a public benefit corporation, in which the nonprofit and other investors including Microsoft hold stakes.
    Deepa Seetharaman, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As the Moon moves through your 10th House of Career, your choices set the tone for how others rely on you.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Tierra Reina’s entree choices were Veracruzana or barbacoa, made with beef tongue and cheek.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The surge in revenue also translated into hundreds of billions in losses for Americans who legally placed wagers in 2025 — an increase of roughly 11% from the previous year, according to the association’s figures.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Winning bets placed in connection with the raid to capture Maduro drew attention and speculation of insider trading at the time, but there have been other wagers on unexpected events since then.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Hawks now lead the series 2-1 and have become the favorites to win it.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Alongside its classic breakfast plates, Fuller’s serves favorites like Monte Cristos and double-decker chicken salad club sandwiches.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That puts the onus on Wallace, who is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery in December.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Twenty-six cars involved in that wreck, which puts it up there with one of the biggest ever.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Then the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams traded up Thursday night to make headline selections.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • With virtually all their starting positions already settled, the Packers made just six draft selections to match their lowest total in franchise history.
    Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bets. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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