better 1 of 4

Definition of betternext

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

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 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
That those women and men who died to end slavery, to win basic rights, to win the vote, to dethrone monarchs and destroy the ancien régime, to fight Czarism and fascism and Nazism and imperialism and apartheid, were in some way our moral betters. Jack Sheehan september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 Her Canadian Open title win showcased the teenager’s ability to keep calm and carry on when elders and betters are losing their heads. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Small changes, small habits to better the environment and our communities. Outside, 18 Jan. 2026 Woods has created a group called Theathelight, which trains young athletes to better themselves on and off the field. Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Dalia Rawson, now the executive director of New Ballet in San Jose, spent decades training and refining her craft as a ballet dancer, and says that after rehearsing for weeks on end with the other members of her company, something special happened.
    Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Among them are Dale Holness, a former Broward County commissioner who lost a special primary election in 2021 to Cherfilus-McCormick by five votes.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • According to scientific research, many mushrooms have stress-relieving, adaptogenic qualities that may help the mind and body handle daily pressures more effectively, Goodwin adds.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Following the money Over the past few years, auction houses and art fairs have tried to follow the money, focusing their efforts in Asia and, more recently, the Middle East.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In 2018, Ruis was brought up on department charges for not informing his superiors about changes to an order of protection filed against him by his estranged wife at the time.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
  • When should troops disobey their superiors?
    TheWeek, TheWeek, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Cougars finished with four turnovers and held a 26-8 advantage in points in the paint.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Columbus blanked the Blackhawks on their two power-play chances, running their string of futility to 26 man-advantages and 10 games without a goal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Tens of thousands remain without power from last week’s storm while authorities distribute supplies and grapple with a growing death toll exceeding 100.
    Kristin M. Hall, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
  • However, four players for Grand Canyon exceeded Buchanan’s point total, including three with 16 points, and senior guard Jaden Henley scored a game-high 20 — 18 of them in the second half.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Kiki Rice had 17 points and seven assists and Lauren Betts scored 16 points as the Bruins (21-1, 11-0 Big Ten) remained the only undefeated team in conference play while improving to 10-0 at home.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Next, the researchers aim to improve their technique further, with the goal of predicting not only when solar activity will intensify, but also where on the sun’s surface active regions are likely to form.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Those with very poor credit scores (between 300 and 579) pay 273% more than those with exceptional credit scores (between 800 and 850), according to data from the insurance comparison site the Zebra.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Historian Timothy Snyder has warned that democracies often die through the normalization of the exceptional—emergency as governance, loyalty as qualification, disinformation as a political tool.
    Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Arm's chip designs power most of the world's smartphones and are increasingly used in AI data centers and edge computing devices.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday afternoon, OpenAI released a new cutting-edge coding model that the company said assisted in its own creation.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

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