1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of bettered
The description by the composer (who is also his librettist) can hardly be bettered.
—
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Reneau was that guy too, right to Sunday when his 16 points were only bettered by Henderson’s 18.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Golden’s team leads the nation with a plus-14 rebounding margin and bettered Kentucky 50-29 on the boards on Friday to generate a 21-8 edge in second-change points.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Galatasaray’s five high turnovers resulting in a goal are only bettered by four remaining teams (PSG, Newcastle United, Bodo/Glimt and Leverkusen).
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, majorities said the Republican president has definitely or probably not improved the functioning of government (59%) or bettered the nation’s standing on the world stage (60%).
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Over the past two seasons, the Swede has scored 44 goals in the Premier League, a tally bettered only by Salah and Erling Haaland with 47 and 49 respectively.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Reneau was that guy too, right to Sunday when his 16 points were only bettered by Henderson’s 18.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Golden’s team leads the nation with a plus-14 rebounding margin and bettered Kentucky 50-29 on the boards on Friday to generate a 21-8 edge in second-change points.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Galatasaray’s five high turnovers resulting in a goal are only bettered by four remaining teams (PSG, Newcastle United, Bodo/Glimt and Leverkusen).
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, majorities said the Republican president has definitely or probably not improved the functioning of government (59%) or bettered the nation’s standing on the world stage (60%).
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Over the past two seasons, the Swede has scored 44 goals in the Premier League, a tally bettered only by Salah and Erling Haaland with 47 and 49 respectively.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bettered
Verb
-
Lowes Foods with four stores surpassed both specialty grocers Fresh Market, with five stores, and Earth Fare, which closed one store and has two left in the region.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The season finale audience was up 30% from the previous week and surpassed the Season 1 finale in 2019, which earned 530,000 viewers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mansfield improved to 8-12-1 overall and 4-3 in district while Legacy dropped to 18-6 and 5-2.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
My sleep schedule improved This was the earliest sign that things were changing.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During key periods like the pandemic boom and another surge in 2025, trading card indexes tracking Pokémon sales posted gains that far exceeded the S&P 500's long-term average annual return of 10% to 12%, according to trading card valuation tool Card Ladder.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While all samples met federal primary drinking water standards for contaminants, such as lead and copper, every site exceeded secondary standards, which are linked to taste, odor, discoloration, and, critically, corrosion in pipes.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet in the 12 games since his return, despite initial rustiness, Flagg has enhanced his diverse talents, a clear indication Kidd’s early-season decision to play him at point guard was a beneficial litmus test.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But advertising executives say that, thanks to enhanced targeting capabilities and new ad products, ad tiers have quietly become more lucrative than their ad-free counterparts.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is the 11th time a member of the Colorado Avalanche or Quebec Nordiques has achieved or eclipsed 50 goals in a regular season.—
Jack Lowenstein,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In doing so, Doncic eclipsed 15,000 career points, as announced by the Lakers.—
Megan Armstrong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the top of the menu is a Turath Latte, made with a special date and spice blend, then topped with cold foam.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t miss the wood oven pizza like the carbonara topped with egg and guanciale.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bettered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bettered. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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