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Definition of helpnext
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as in to benefit
to provide with something useful or desirable being independently wealthy certainly helped him during his years as a struggling young artist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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help

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word help distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of help are ameliorate, better, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

In what contexts can ameliorate take the place of help?

Although the words ameliorate and help have much in common, ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

How do improve and better relate to one another, in the sense of help?

Both 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

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 help
Verb
Lutzenkirchen also leans on his son’s determination to help children with special needs and to be a great friend and teammate. Doug Turnbull For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AJC.com, 22 Feb. 2026 Christofilis led their team in scoring with nine points in the first half to help put them up 29-20 at the break. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
Hydration is essential, too, since fluids help fiber move through the digestive system and reduce discomfort. Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026 Add even more color and pollinators to your garden with the help of zinnias. Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for help
Recent Examples of Synonyms for help
Verb
  • The Nevada County Sheriff‘s Office was also assisted by California National Guard, California State Parks, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Truckee Police Department and the United States Forest Service.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The staff is also readily available to assist whenever needed, adding an extra layer of ease for guests who may require additional support during their stay.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • To help alleviate that, the Santa Clara County approved funding in December 2023 to develop and staff a new center based in South County.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Local nonprofit Tax Help Colorado wants to help alleviate some of your stress.
    Mekialaya White, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even worse, that money was supposed to go toward preventing and reversing drug overdoses amid an ongoing opioid epidemic.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The same dangerous whiteout conditions that caused the avalanche Tuesday have prevented recovery crews from returning to the remote Sierra Nevada backcountry to bring home the bodies, officials said in an update Wednesday.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Also a root vegetable, these light carrot-like vegetables benefit greatly from the companion of rosemary.
    Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Rescheduling is a half measure that will benefit large pharmaceutical companies getting into the space, Kelly said, when what’s really needed is federal legalization.
    Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Potential projects will demonstrate ways to improve energy utilization, process efficiency and manufacturing throughput to ensure a steady supply of extreme environment materials for industrial markets and federal agencies, according to the details available.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Reserve Jacari White led six players in double figures with 17 points for the Cavaliers (24-3, 12-2 ACC), who improved to 13-1 at home and beat the Hurricanes for the ninth time in their last 10 meetings.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That tenuous lifeline is at risk though as anti-Castro Cuban-American politicians have called for a total cut-off of assistance from the US.
    Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Despite having the latest safety gear and being in a group of other experienced riders, as well as the assistance of an off-duty Truckee fire department medic, who performed CPR, Thomason did not survive.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Arkansas climbed to a double-digit advantage, leading by as many as 14 points with two minutes left.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Dr Amgad Rezk said the process offered significant advantages for industry, with an energy-efficient and scalable approach.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The service There’s a relaxed SoCal vibe at Casa Cody, but the staff is still extraordinarily attentive and friendly.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Times staff writers James Queally and Richard Winton contributed to this report.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/help. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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