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
Relevance
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
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
Her 13th place there is unlikely to be bettered at the real thing.
—
Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
The flipside to this generosity came via how Wrexham rescued 23 points from losing positions, a total only Watford (27) bettered.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 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
Yeboah bettered that in the 67th minute, taking advantage of another defensive breakdown to poke a pass from Tomás Chancalay at the left post past Marcinkowski.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 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
Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
The flipside to this generosity came via how Wrexham rescued 23 points from losing positions, a total only Watford (27) bettered.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 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
Yeboah bettered that in the 67th minute, taking advantage of another defensive breakdown to poke a pass from Tomás Chancalay at the left post past Marcinkowski.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bettered
Verb
-
The film surpassed $400 million at the global box office, and a sequel that is based on the author’s follow-up book The Housemaid’s Secret is set for release in 2027.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
-
Addie Hajj surpassed 100 career goals, helping to fuel North Reading during a 17-8 Cape Ann League victory over Essex Tech.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
As a senior, the new-and-improved Maloney earned first-team All-Dade honors, leading the 2015 Explorers to a 13-2 record and the Class 8A state semifinals.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Ukraine’s offensive capabilities have also improved, with the Defense Ministry saying Tuesday that the country’s forces have more than doubled the range of their deep-strike capabilities since Russia’s February 2022 invasion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shamsid-Deen initially sought to impose a 90-day jail term, but prosecutor Jonah Karls informed him that the sentence exceeded his legal authority, something the judge appeared unaware of.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia broke records set in 1896, and exceeded their 20th century average April temperatures by as much as eight degrees.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
This sprawling resort has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation over the last 10-plus years, work that has refreshed rooms and the lobby, added a coffee shop, and enhanced wellness perks.—
Jess Hoffert,
Midwest Living,
9 May 2026
-
Additionally, the trails running through and around the outer edge of the forest will be enhanced to improve accessibility.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
At its zenith, sky-gazers can expect to see as many as 50 meteors an hour under optimal conditions, although NASA warns that fainter meteors may be eclipsed by bright moonlight this year.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
3 May 2026
-
Jackson LaCombe’s assist on Gauthier’s goal moved him back into a tie for the NHL’s playoff points lead with nine, though he was soon eclipsed when Leon Draisaitl’s assist on a late academic goal pushed the German star’s total to 10.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
This one is infused with marrow and topped with radish, plus more onion, cilantro and salsa on those beautiful blue corn tortillas.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
International benchmark Brent Crude topped $112 a barrel Tuesday with no clear indication of an imminent resolution to the war that has severely constrained shipping traffic through the strait.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bettered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bettered. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
