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

4 of 4

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
Paranaense simply need to better the result of Bragantino to stay alive, but against Atlético Mineiro, who are also at risk, that will be a tough task. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 That small accomplishment alone, which isn’t actually so small, always serves to better my headspace when too busy with other things to fully deep-clean every surface, bathroom, and cluttered cabinet. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for better 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adverb
  • 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
  • This gets into the Dolphins doing more wrong last season than just in the standings.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • When Pertinax abandoned a career as a teacher and joined the army, frontier wars had hollowed out the ranks, allowing his exceptional talent to catch his superiors’ attention.
    Jeffrey E. Schulman / Made by History, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Details of that process were previously reported by +972, an Israeli-Palestinian news website; the Israeli military has denied that was military policy and said that any analyst who relied solely on Lavender would have been overruled by superiors.
    Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • This timeline may provide an advantage to companies that have not yet adapted their processes to meet e-invoicing requirements.
    Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
  • While its scent is a perk, the real advantages come from a blend of Ayurvedic ingredients that fortify the hair and give it a glossy gleam.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In divorce filings, Jabbar said his monthly expenses, including child support for his first two children, exceeded his income.
    Jason Allen, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
  • With stakes exceeding 10 percent in many banks, questions arose about potential conflicts of interest and undue influence over critical financial institutions.
    Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • An analysis that reviewed 12 studies found curcumin improved joint pain and function.14 A different review of studies concluded curcumin may be more effective for joint pain relief than NSAIDs.19 Curcumin is also widely regarded as safe.
    Ashley Wong, Health, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Over time, this information can be aggregated to refine communication strategies, improving overall service quality and customer satisfaction.
    Nick Newsom, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The list spotlights the most exceptional achievements in film by Asian Pacific creatives over the past year.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
  • On the palate, the wine exhibits exceptional intensity, texture, purity and a dull-bodied finish with velvety but noticeable tannins.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 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
  • Now more people live at the flammable edges of wildlands, making places that are primed to burn into de facto suburbs.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 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 15 Jan. 2025.

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