better 1 of 4

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

better

3 of 4

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

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
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 Buschatzke and others argue that a better and more equitable approach would be to start accounting for evaporation and other water losses from the reservoirs and along the river in the Lower Basin. Los Angeles Times, 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 the dance of love there are no betters — there is only the pursuit of radical equality. Jimi Calhoun, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024 Conversely, credit card delinquencies declined for sports betters, a trend that showed up a couple years after legalization and surprised Hollenbeck. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 26 July 2024
Verb
Both Zuckerberg’s and Bezos’ companies have attempted to better their relationships with the Trump administration through donations and other acts. William Gavin, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2025 Only one team in Europe’s top four leagues, Bilbao’s Athletic Club (six), can better them. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Then, the employee might be eligible for a special tax break known as net unrealized appreciation (NUA) that involves taking a lump sum distribution of the stock and rolling over the rest of the 401(k) to an IRA.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Frazier and Hassanein can be early reserves, while safety Dan Jackson and wide receiver Dominic Lovett can be special teams contributors.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Champ Celebration: The Royals will welcome back notable alumni for championship gala Here are more notable aspects of Thursday’s game: Michael Massey records three hits The Royals need productive at-bats.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, once Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry were on, Bayern seemed more aggressive, creative, and direct in their attacking movements.
    Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In previous wars such a system might have led to inflated claims, like the controversial U.S. ‘body counts’ in Vietnam or the Russian system in which commanders regularly lie their superiors about their progress, the Ukrainian have a strict audit process.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, Charlie blackmails two superiors into some combat training and takes the matter of avenging his beloved into his own shaky hands, chasing leads from London to Paris to Istanbul.
    A.A. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Stars finished with a 50-26-6 record, edging out Colorado for second in the division and home ice advantage in this series.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The District 3 race could also play a key role on whether Mahan successfully implements his policy agenda over the next year, as his bloc currently holds a slim voting advantage on the dais that could shift if Quevedo does not win the seat.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • According to Garber, the Trump administration violated Harvard’s First Amendment rights with its demands and exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    Kayla Jimenez, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Per a memo from Engel to the district superintendent, increases may not exceed the Consumer Price Index-Food Away from Home rate, which is currently 3.6%.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sporting improved to 2-6-1 in MLS regular-season play, winning its second match of 2025.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
  • If each of us could do one small good deed daily, the world would be improved.
    Maria Zimina, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His answer, given the exceptional political and economic turmoil in Canada, was a bit surprising.
    Ian Austen, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The secret to an exceptional Amatriciana lies in selecting impeccable guanciale Amatriciano—with its perfect balance of tender meat and luxurious fat—creating the foundation upon which this masterpiece is built.
    Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Texas Tech After making a splash in the winter window, the Red Raiders have made key additions in the spring as well, landing Stanford edge rusher David Bailey and Colorado offensive lineman Cash Cleveland.
    Sam Khan Jr., New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In a system plagued by fragmentation, mobile care can deliver both clinical impact and operational edge.
    Paulina Wierzbicka, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on better

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!