as in special
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in more
to a greater or higher extent
he knows property law better than anyone else
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
she got the better of her opponents very early in the race
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to exceed
to be greater, better, or stronger than
this year's profits should better last year's by a wide margin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to improve
to make better
social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023
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
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
Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023.
—Lz Granderson, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Morton also went 3-2 as a starter in the playoffs with the Cowboys and 5-5 for his career, matching White (5-5) and bettering Romo (2-4), Prescott (2-5) and Meredith (1-3).
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for better
Adjective
On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better.
—Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023
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
Adverb
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
Noun
Here's what at-home betters should know.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023.
—Lz Granderson, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
Yet convenience has not come at the price of comfort, insists designer Mikael Axelsson, who set out to better the coziness of conventional foam fillings.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Morton also went 3-2 as a starter in the playoffs with the Cowboys and 5-5 for his career, matching White (5-5) and bettering Romo (2-4), Prescott (2-5) and Meredith (1-3).
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
-
Now, heading into this upcoming special legislative session on the state budget, my focus is on locking in funding for more local water projects — and for Resilient Florida.—
Anna V. Eskamani,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
While the exact financial impact of Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois isn’t yet known, Hilda Alvarez Rodriguez, special projects manager at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said the vast majority of Chicago businesses did not emerge unscathed.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Adverb
-
For a second option, guests can dine at the clubhouse on the golf course with a more casual menu.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
Although this bag features a unique design, it can also be worn with a casual, more minimal outfit, as its neutral colorways pair easily with any outfit.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit alleges Abdulai’s superior laughed at her and took no action.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
19 May 2026
-
Brown’s team submitted an affidavit to superiors at the DOJ that did not make a strong enough case to move forward with what Olsen wanted.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Economic analysis in the January 2026 White House Council of Economic Advisors report reinforces the advantages of this approach.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
The outfielder used his blazing speed and smart baserunning to his advantage to manufacture both of Miami’s runs in its series opener against the Mets.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Even with pumps capable of moving 40,000 gallons per minute, the storm exceeded the system’s legal capacity.—
Greg Bennett,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
According to public records, the inspection also found that GKN used materials containing hexavalent chrome, a dangerous carcinogen; used coatings containing toxic air contaminants; and exceeded facility-wide volatile organic compound emissions.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
That means repairing seawalls and bolstering shorelines, restoring wetlands, improving stormwater management and drainage, ensuring clean lakes, hardening infrastructure, and keeping homes and roadways out of the water.—
Anna V. Eskamani,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Duffy said the administration sees AI as a way to reduce workload for controllers and improve efficiency across increasingly crowded airspace.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
At the annual Valedictorians Luncheon at Fenway Park on Tuesday, the mayor, BPS leadership and city officials spoke to the exceptional achievement of the 33 graduates who represented the tops of their classes.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
-
Executive chef Alessandro Lucassino’s kitchen operates on the principle of letting the exceptional Mediterranean produce speak for itself.—
Jamie Timson,
TheWeek,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The mattress on the bed was a little short and my bare feet hung off the edge, beyond the light white sheet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
All that was left of the snow was shoveled into melting mounds at the edges of intersections and crosswalks.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
