BETTER Synonyms: 287 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

better 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of better next

as in special

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Relevance

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better

2 of 4

adverb

as in more

to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

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better

3 of 4

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in advantage

the more favorable condition or position in a competition she got the better of her opponents very early in the race

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better

4 of 4

verb

as in to exceed

to be greater, better, or stronger than this year's profits should better last year's by a wide margin

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lose (to)

as in to improve

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 of better in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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 The Navy is also using ships to map and scan the sea floor for all remaining parts of the balloon, so U.S. analysts can get a full picture of what types of sensors the Chinese were using and to better understand how the balloon was able to maneuver. —

Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023

Noun

No academic himself, Carney learns the blues of the universe from one of his social betters at the all-black Dumas Club on 120th Street. —

Lawrence Jackson, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023 In these cases, there is no opportunity for betters to automatically receive the post time favorite horse. —

Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 6 May 2023

Verb

When his mother was taken to hell by the demon Mephisto for her witchcraft, the young Doom sought to better himself to bring her back. —

Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024 Beginners can get professional assistance and tips to better their game from Tampa Pickleball Crew instructors. —

Selene San Felice, Axios, 15 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for better

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'better.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 7 Sep. 2024.

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Synonyms of better

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

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Examples of better in a Sentence

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