better 1 of 4

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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better

2 of 4

noun

better

3 of 4

verb

better

4 of 4

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

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 better
Adverb
The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023 Buschatzke and others argue that a better and more equitable approach would be to start accounting for evaporation and other water losses from the reservoirs and along the river in the Lower Basin. Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Verb
The hook is still in play, and a lot of betters seem to be biting on it. Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024 In the dance of love there are no betters — there is only the pursuit of radical equality. Jimi Calhoun, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Consent decrees have been credited with bettering some of the country's 18,000 police departments. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 May 2025 Brazilian dystopian series 3% is another show that follows people who are struggling financially and enter a competition to better their lives. Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adverb
  • Two of the more disconcerting are his obsession with tariffs and his constant berating of U.S. businesses.
    Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Although the East Coast is not prone to large earthquakes like the West Coast, the rattling of an East Coast quake is felt more broadly because the hard bedrock of the region transfers seismic energy more efficiently than the heavily faulted West Coast bedrock.
    Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Tsui has three major tips for young staffers to stay in line with company dress codes and avoid getting sacked for their outfit: Take inspiration from your superiors: Take a look around the office or check how older coworkers are showing up in Zoom calls.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 July 2025
  • And when Deschanel was once 30 minutes late to work because of an accident on her commute, series creator Hart Hanson was forced to deliver a harsh message from his superiors.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Such facilities have flocked to the state for its competitive operating costs, low natural disaster risk and strong fiber infrastructure, among other advantages.
    Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • What’s the advantage to making a big splash at SDCC for Disney?
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The asylum process in Mexico is supposed to take about three months, said Mejía from UNHCR, but the number of cases exceeds the capacity of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid to process them.
    Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • That number far exceeds any other program nationwide.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The ban aims to improve academic achievement, reduce cyberbullying, and minimize classroom disruptions.
    Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
  • As southerly winds are forecast to return over the weekend, state officials anticipated that smoke may be pushed farther north, allowing air quality to improve gradually in majority of the state.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Seely is survived by numerous friends, family members, and her special cat, Corrie.
    Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The commissioner on Thursday sent a memo to the city clerk, the city manager and other commissioners, requesting to hold a special commission meeting to discuss the city’s recent election date changes.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Fifth-year edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who was also held back by an injury during the spring, took comfort in the support of his teammate.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The Dallas Cowboys owner wants his edge rusher suited up and playing with or without an extension in place.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The pop-rockers reached even greater heights with the still-ongoing Music of the Spheres World Tour, which has already surpassed $1.26 billion, becoming the first rock tour to cross the billion-dollar mark.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Arizona's Dragon Bravo Fire began from a lightning strike on July 4 and has surpassed more than 105,000 acres along the canyon's North Rim.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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