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bettering 1 of 2

adjective

as in constructive

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bettering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of better
1
as in surpassing
to be greater, better, or stronger than this year's profits should better last year's by a wide margin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in improving
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 bettering
Verb
Parton dedicated her life and career to bettering the world in so many ways, from her Dollywood theme park to her Imagination Library, which has promoted childhood literacy through delivering millions of books to children. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026 His revered mentor, José Antonio Abreu, who founded the educational program in 1975 with the conviction that learning music can, in bettering lives, lead to profound social change. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 One event of note is the City of Milwaukee Police Department's District 5 National Night Out, aimed at bettering the relationship between law enforcement and the community through a fun night of games. — Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 31 July 2026 Asking for feedback is only one step of the process in bettering your organization. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Second in Austria marked Verstappen’s best result of the season — bettering his third in Canada. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Arbitrarily limiting that possibility has nothing to do with bettering the game and everything to do with limiting what ownership spends. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 The goal made Kane England’s most prolific international goal scorer of all time, bettering Wayne Rooney’s previous record of 53 goals. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026 Des Moines east-sider Jones-Brown, who works as the assistant chief diversity officer for staff equity at Grinnell College, said the love of volunteering and bettering the community laid the foundation for her run. — Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bettering
  1. constructive
  2. surpassing
  3. improving
  4. supportive
  5. exceeding
  6. enhancing
  7. gainful
  8. eclipsing
Adjective
  • The next constructive development would be for the 50-day moving average to begin curling higher, as well.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Another commenter offered constructive criticism about the design.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of constructive
Verb
  • Okamoto’s homer gave him 85 RBIs, surpassing Eric Hinske’s 2002 Blue Jays rookie record.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
  • That last touchdown gave Cousins 301 for his career, surpassing John Elway for 14th all time.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of surpassing
Verb
  • Many of the biggest AI safety fears revolve around advanced models getting increasingly capable at improving their own performance, a technique known as recursive self-improvement, or RSI.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The numbers don’t favor an improving team in that regard — but remember, the Cowboys should have top quarterback play, top receivers, good-to-great offensive line play and a good-to-great run game.
    — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of improving
Adjective
  • Amazon has no shortage of deals on plane-worthy outfits, supportive walking shoes, and convenient travel bags worthy of grabbing before your next trip.
    — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Some economists have also argued that rising debt burdens and persistent fiscal deficits may create conditions that are more supportive of inflation than many investors anticipate.
    — Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of supportive
Verb
  • Lowell is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum totals exceeding 10 inches possible for Kauai and the Big Island, the hurricane center said.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Qualified candidates who check the boxes are easily landing pay packages exceeding seven figures, but recruiters have to move fast, said Michael Piacente, managing partner and cofounder of executive cybersecurity search firm Hitch Partners.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of exceeding
Verb
  • Increasing India’s alternative energy production has been one of the key achievements of the Modi government, but its role in enhancing India’s energy security is limited.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The reason for that is because flushing fluids into the system this way can mask the detection of performance-enhancing substances.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Adjective
  • The move by the shop owner launched a flurry of online discourse about the tripod-wielding gaggle of usually young, almost always female influencers who parade their phones around in the hopes of building, or nurturing, a gainful following.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 9 Sep. 2026
  • This would combine additional transitional housing with best practices in drug & mental health treatment coupled with programs to foster self-sufficiency and gainful employment.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of gainful
Verb
  • The 59 points allowed set a new Panthers record for futility, eclipsing the 52 points given up twice before.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Vivid shades of purple, blue, and green are eclipsing classic fall nail colors like burgundy and dark brown.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of eclipsing

Browse Nearby Words

better halves
bettering
betterment
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Cite this Entry

“Bettering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bettering. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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