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Definition of helpnext
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as in to benefit
to provide with something useful or desirable being independently wealthy certainly helped him during his years as a struggling young artist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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help

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word help distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of help are ameliorate, better, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

In what contexts can ameliorate take the place of help?

Although the words ameliorate and help have much in common, ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

How do improve and better relate to one another, in the sense of help?

Both 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

How is the word help distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of help are ameliorate, better, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

In what contexts can ameliorate take the place of help?

Although the words ameliorate and help have much in common, ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

How do improve and better relate to one another, in the sense of help?

Both 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

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 help
Verb
The New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots all went offensive tackle in the first round, hoping to help their young quarterbacks. Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Cloves contain a type of polyphenol called eugenol that can help reduce inflammation and pain.6 Add cloves to any sweet dish, such as baked goods, breads, oatmeal, tea, or coffee. 3. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
Attempts to refloat the mammal with the help of police boats, excavators and inflatable boats had temporarily freed it. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026 His wife’s sister, who called for help minutes after the shooting started, escaped with a child by jumping from the roof, police and family members said Monday. Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for help
Recent Examples of Synonyms for help
Verb
  • Melton took an awkward step and went down, then scrambled back to the base and was assisted off the field.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Eighth grader Destiny Cornelius, 15, saw the driver holding a nebulizer and helped administer the medication, while 13-year-old McKenzy Finch assisted.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Its Siren Capsule Technology, in particular, works to optimize skin’s collagen for lip renewal, while a blend of peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid spheres, and plant extracts alleviate signs of dehydration.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026
  • That hair dryer had a much slimmer design to alleviate wrist pain, as well as RFID attachments that automatically adjusted heat and airflow.
    Victoria Song, The Verge, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Enzyme Inhibitor Peptides Enzyme inhibitor peptides help to prevent the breakdown of collagen, preserving the skin’s structure and slowing visible signs of aging.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The chemical was developed in the early 1900s and came into wider use during World War II to prevent the spread of malaria and typhus.
    Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The key thing was hiring out members that would complement the existing talent, then creating new processes that benefited the team rather than scare them away.
    Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Many types of seeds benefit from soaking in room temperature water before planting, which softens the outer covering and allows the seed germ to break through easier.
    Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Parker now has several options to improve an area that hasn’t been a strength in Dallas for a while.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • In good economic times, that’s hundreds of millions of dollars each year for upgrading classrooms, boosting teacher pay, improving security, and enriching learning in our schools.
    Kevin Vick, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The following interview, conducted in Spanish with assistance from his son and Carnitas Uruapan second-generation owner Marcos Carbajal, has been edited for clarity and length.
    Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The company has declined comment on the liquidation and federal assistance reports.
    David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Minutes earlier, Kelsy took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax exchange, blindsiding Jeppe Tverskov to take possession and create an instant breakaway opportunity.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Okongwu took advantage of it and drove to the basket for a quick shot.
    Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Also, the day care staff sat with the parents, which affected the social scene for everyone.
    Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The two worked together at Croydon, Whyteleafe and Kinetic Academy, and Hudson formed part of McFarlane’s bench staff during his interim spell leading the Chelsea first team.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/help. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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