better 1 of 4

better

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adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

better

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noun

better

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verb

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

Examples 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
Adjective
But Democrats and other critics said the state could use the $10 million for better purposes and questioned how it would be determined that migrants voluntarily agreed to be transported. Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2023 Despite his better instincts, a 20-year-old man went to a Gary apartment complex on Nov. 2, 2017 to sell 1.5 ounces of marijuana to his co-worker. Meredith Colias-Pete and Rebecca Jacobs, Chicago Tribune, 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
These elites believe parents, shoppers, and business owners cannot be trusted to weigh costs and benefits for themselves; they must be manipulated by their betters. Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2024 This represents a 35% increase in individual betters, and they were expected to wager a total of $23.1 billion, a monetary increase of 44% above last year. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
Research links medium-firm mattresses to better sleep quality, but everyone’s different. Heather Cruickshank, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024 In the 50-meter event prelims, Walsh bettered the previous super-suited mark of Swedish swimmer Therese Alshammar by 0.36 seconds, clocking a time of 29.34 seconds. Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for better 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Visit Anaheim: People affected by the wildfires can visit Visit Anaheim’s official website and find special hotel offers and assistance.
    Janhvi Bhojwani, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The 73-page civil complaint, filed Thursday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, names special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey, First District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputies and the Santa Fe County commission.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • This gets into the Dolphins doing more wrong last season than just in the standings.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Color us doubtful of that explanation, which would be a little more believable if either Trump or Alito had given us much reason to take them at their word or assume good faith.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Agents must obtain approval from their superiors before making an arrest in a location deemed sensitive.
    Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
  • In Episode 4, following Delgado’s funeral, Troian Bellisario’s Harmon locks eyes with her superior, who is leaning against a squad car and smoking a cigarette.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • One primary advantage of confidence is that other people do in fact eat it up.
    Rachel Sugar, Vox, 13 Jan. 2025
  • That actually worked to Naperville North’s advantage.
    Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Projects must be feature dramas or animations intended for commercial theatrical exhibition in Hong Kong, with a runtime of at least 80 minutes and a production budget not exceeding $7.7 million.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Those losses would far exceed the $12.5 billion in insured damages from the 2018 Camp Fire, which until now was the costliest blaze in the country’s history, according to data from Aon.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, the Patriots, according to team sources, recognized that the on-field product was improving and becoming harder to play.
    Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The new code of conduct, announced to stores Monday, is part of CEO Brian Niccol’s strategy to lure back customers, boost sagging sales and improve worker relations.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Part of that is the exceptional goaltending from Anthony Stolarz (before his injury) and Joseph Woll.
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Its standout features include a large, vibrant display, fast charging, and exceptional battery life.
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • He was rated as the No. 1 edge rusher by Rivals and On3 in the 2024 recruiting cycle.
    Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • But something else has been cultivated in the process of essentially playing a full extra season in the last six years: a prevailing psychological edge that should gird them for the playoffs in a way no other current NFL team can know.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near better

Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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