BETTERED Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

bettered

verb

past tense of better

as in surpassed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lost (to)

as in improved

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bettered Gogel rose 12 places with his 7-under 63, bettered only by Scotland's Stephen Gallacher in fifth with an 8-under 62, which included nine birdies. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 The final standing of seventh has not been bettered since 1954-55. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026 Defensively, France has also only conceded twice so far – a record bettered only by Spain which has let in one goal. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 The Flames have bettered their conference finish every season since joining in 2023, winning both the regular-season and tournament titles this year. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 Her 13th place there is unlikely to be bettered at the real thing. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026 Rare is the Broadway season that hasn’t been bettered by an August Wilson revival, and this very busy spring is no exception. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bettered

Verb

The average two-bedroom rent in the city has now surpassed New York City, traditionally the nation’s most expensive city for rents.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
The government has spent nearly all of its full-year allocation for fuel subsidies already, after oil prices surpassed the $85 benchmark that the estimate was based on.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of surpassed

Verb

Paul Taylor Sunderland Sunderland’s pre-season has gradually improved, as defeats to Liverpool and Leeds have given way to encouraging performances, and wins, against Wrexham and Lens.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Mike Salmon's health improved so much under hospice care that he got kicked out.

— Kim Clark, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of improved

Verb

On his 2017 tax return, Krneta reported $321,000 in net income, even though his total income, which included about $4,000 derived from criminal activity, exceeded $400,000, the plea stated.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Soil samples from the two elementary school campuses, City Terrace and Christopher Dena, exceeded the applicable regulatory screening levels of lead, which were flagged for further evaluation.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of exceeded

Verb

At West Ham, Fernandes enhanced his reputation as a player who can not only drive his team forward but also play a key role out of possession, defending on the front foot.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Vuong’s photographs are displayed rather conventionally on the gallery walls, but the viewing experience is enhanced by images of his that have been printed on cloth banners that hang in the center of the space.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhanced

Verb

With a length of almost 1,100 feet and displacing more than 100,000 tons, Nimitz-class carriers are among the world’s largest warships, eclipsed only by the US Navy’s Ford-class carriers, of which only one is in service to date.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
From the perspective of our health systems, this work is nice-to-have but eclipsed by the gritty realities of clinical care.

— Kyle Vanelli, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of eclipsed

Verb

Only three topped 40 catches, and Jaden Greathouse and Beaux Collins required a 16-game season to get there two years ago.

— Pete Sampson, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Digging for compliments Shares in mining giant BHP are trading higher in Australia, hitting a two-month high, after the company topped earnings expectations and unveiled plans to pay its highest dividend in four years.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of topped

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better

bettered

better half

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“Bettered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bettered. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bettered

verb

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