Synonyms of better

better 1 of 4

adjective

as in special

Related Words

• special
• exceptional
• fancy
• high-grade
• excellent
• elite
• superior
• exclusive
• choice
• great
• elegant
• superb
• wonderful
• terrific
• outstanding
• rare
• exquisite
• splendid
• superlative
• first-class
• prime
• select
• jewellike
• marvelous
• par excellence
• stellar
• premium
• fabulous
• unsurpassed
• bijou
• fine
• transcendent
• classic
• top
• top-notch
• first-rate
• dainty
• sensational
• noble
• sterling
• tip-top
• recherché
• grand
• delicate
• supernal
• ultrarare

Dissimilar Words

• gross
• rough
• commercial
• coarse
• popular
• common
• vulgar
• tasteless
• unpolished
• unrefined
• ordinary
• uncultured
• raffish
• kitschy
• lesser
• uncultivated
• average
• mediocre
• lowbrow
• rough-hewn
• kitsch
• unsatisfactory
• inferior
• second-class
• unacceptable
• wanting
• deficient
• second-rate
• substandard
• mass-produced
• low-grade
• run-of-the-mine
• run-of-the-mill

better

2 of 4

adverb

as in more

to a greater or higher extent

he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

• more

better

3 of 4

noun

1

as in superior

one who is above another in rank, station, or office

be polite to your betters and to your inferiors in equal measure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• superior
• boss
• elder
• leader
• master
• chief
• senior
• head

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subordinate
• assistant
• inferior
• deputy
• underling

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

• advantage
• edge
• opportunity
• odds
• high ground
• stead
• start
• jump
• upper hand
• vantage
• pull
• lead
• privilege
• bulge
• coign of vantage
• drop
• superiority
• benefit
• whip hand
• inside track
• margin
• catbird seat
• allowance
• dominance
• precedence
• transcendence
• preference
• prerogative
• predominance
• mastery
• head start
• ascendancy
• leg up
• supremacy
• foothold
• seniority
• transcendency
• windfall
• command
• blessing
• break
• boon
• godsend
• felicity
• manna

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disadvantage
• penalty
• strike
• drawback
• liability
• detriment
• handicap
• minus
• disparity
• failing
• imbalance
• inequality
• let
• disability
• impairment
• interference
• shortcoming
• stop
• hindrance
• catch
• obstacle
• obstruction
• impediment
• stranglehold
• embarrassment
• check
• bar
• unevenness
• hurdle
• rub
• hitch
• setback
• clog
• crimp
• shackle
• lurch
• manacle
• trammel

better

4 of 4

verb

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

• exceed
• surpass
• top
• eclipse
• beat
• excel
• outdo
• transcend
• outstrip
• outshine
• best
• outdistance
• overcome
• outclass
• master
• overtop
• outmatch
• go one better
• tower (over)
• outgun
• worst
• defeat
• overshadow
• outweigh
• outpace
• outrun
• run circles around
• shame
• one-up
• prevail (over)
• outperform
• triumph (over)
• win (against)
• surmount
• conquer
• subdue
• lick
• rout
• trump
• outcompete
• trim
• outrace
• clobber
• crush
• whip
• thrash
• overmatch
• trounce
• overpass
• outbalance
• overbear
• wallop
• skunk
• drub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)

2

as in to improve

to make better

social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improve
• enhance
• perfect
• help
• refine
• remedy
• ameliorate
• upgrade
• enrich
• remediate
• amend
• reinforce
• correct
• meliorate
• strengthen
• rectify
• intensify
• reform
• fine
• rehabilitate
• revise
• fine-tune
• boost
• rework
• edit
• revamp
• refurbish
• polish
• emend
• fortify
• beef (up)
• hone
• rehab
• redraft
• retouch
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worsen
• hurt
• harm
• impair
• damage
• spoil
• injure
• reduce
• tarnish
• vitiate
• flaw
• lower
• diminish
• lessen
• blight
• disfigure
• mar
• deface
• endamage
• blemish

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

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

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

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

Recent Examples of 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

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

The two companies are teaming up to enhance the viewing experience for NBA betters. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

Verb

At its core, RZA’s One Spoon of Chocolate is a story of a young man’s journey to better his life’s circumstances, while everything around him is shaken. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026

Galatasaray’s five high turnovers resulting in a goal are only bettered by four remaining teams (PSG, Newcastle United, Bodo/Glimt and Leverkusen). —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing better

• better half
• get the better of
• go one better
• think better of