as in constructive
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in surpassing
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 improving
to make better
social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bettering
Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Hallquist wants Brookfield to become a leader as a modern, suburban city of its size by addressing the financial deficit, bettering city communications and encouraging smart development.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Kemp is well-grounded and has his eyes on bettering himself and getting to the next level through competitive repetitions and coaching.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Abramovich then opened new businesses in Anadyr and set about spending more of his own money on bettering the lives of local residents.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Berry has been an outspoken advocate for women’s health who has supported both state and federal initiatives related to bettering health outcomes or health care access for aging women.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2025
And as the generative AI tech keeps bettering itself, the Presenter gets more and more convincing, daily.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Buruk was part of the Galatasaray team that won four in a row between 1996 and 2000, under Fatih Terim, so the prospect of equalling and even bettering that record (no Turkish team has ever won more Super Ligs in a row) is enough to get you out of bed in the morning.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The set posts 200k in first-week units, not only besting even its Blurryface total from 2015, but also bettering the debut number from any other rock album yet this decade.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
It’s hosted by Simply Vedic (Vedic Cultural Society), a nonprofit organization in Naperville that began in 2006 with a goal of bettering the community through educational and cultural programs.
—Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Hallquist wants Brookfield to become a leader as a modern, suburban city of its size by addressing the financial deficit, bettering city communications and encouraging smart development.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Kemp is well-grounded and has his eyes on bettering himself and getting to the next level through competitive repetitions and coaching.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Abramovich then opened new businesses in Anadyr and set about spending more of his own money on bettering the lives of local residents.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Berry has been an outspoken advocate for women’s health who has supported both state and federal initiatives related to bettering health outcomes or health care access for aging women.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2025
And as the generative AI tech keeps bettering itself, the Presenter gets more and more convincing, daily.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Buruk was part of the Galatasaray team that won four in a row between 1996 and 2000, under Fatih Terim, so the prospect of equalling and even bettering that record (no Turkish team has ever won more Super Ligs in a row) is enough to get you out of bed in the morning.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The set posts 200k in first-week units, not only besting even its Blurryface total from 2015, but also bettering the debut number from any other rock album yet this decade.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bettering
Adjective
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Benjamin Lohr, Asia funds partner at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, struck a similarly constructive tone.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
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So, yes, an open, constructive two-way dialogue.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More than 3,100 rallies are expected nationwide, surpassing the totals of previous No Kings rallies.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Goodreau set a Division III single-season record with her 18th power-play goal, surpassing the mark set by Elmira’s Cassidy Delainey in 2015.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In improving to 35-3, South Carolina’s 6-foot-3 All-American Joyce Edwards scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass in overwhelming TCU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Small changes—from better moisturizing to improving your immediate workspace—can make a noticeable difference.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As at many workplaces, agency assessments can be hyperbolic, reflecting the effusiveness of a supportive boss trying to promote the accomplishments of his team and win his employee a raise.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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The arrangement could help some areas benefit from bond money, even if voters across the district are less supportive.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An earlier December lawsuit had been dismissed by the judge, who said the organization did not sufficiently prove the president was exceeding his powers.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The market capitalization of a company like Apple in December 2023 reached $3 trillion, exceeding the combined GDP of at least 140 countries.—
Sven van Mourik,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Applications will load faster and files will be easier to move, enhancing your workspeed.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
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Brine, a mixture of water and salt, proved effective at inhibiting spoilage while enhancing the flavor of food.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The goal is to prepare these students for their future jobs by developing the skills needed to find gainful employment.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Where do alien nerds find gainful employ?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The shutdown of Homeland Security will reach 44 days on Sunday, eclipsing the record 43-day shutdown last fall that affected all of the federal government.—
Kevin Freking,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Gas prices are eclipsing $6 per gallon for regular unleaded at some local stations.—
Connor Letourneau,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bettering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bettering. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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