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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
With aging pipes in a major Stockton neighborhood where people get their drinking water, San Joaquin County is looking to federal lawmakers to help. Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 The deferrals can help both sides. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
The man alerted jail deputies that his cellmate, 35-year-old Vincent Chacon, was choking and needed help in the early morning of June 30, according to a probable cause affidavit. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026 But in the meantime, those who know her are left to ponder an illness that appears to have consumed the caring mother, in spite of her efforts to get help. Laura Crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for help
Recent Examples of Synonyms for help
Verb
  • Both assist with the production of collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Disaster Action Team volunteers are assisting those affected with emergency needs, including temporary lodging, financial assistance and other support services.
    Eva Andersen, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Lack of communication from airlines during disruptions is a major complaint from customers across carriers, and anything companies can do to alleviate that will help with those frustrations.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • By this point, experts were warning that half a million people in Gaza were at risk of starvation, and organizations such as the Rabbinical Assembly, an association of Conservative rabbis, were urging immediate action to alleviate civilian suffering.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The president has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the war's top objective.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That could benefit a candidate like McAdams, who built a broad base during his previous campaign.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • October 23 – November 21 Group efforts benefit from clear, shared aims.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • About a decade ago, a group of competitive CrossFitters in Charleston, South Carolina, went looking for ways to improve their athletic performance without taking steroids.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Money would help improve services for pets and residents.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The bill carves out a number of exceptions, including for people providing medical assistance or helping law enforcement.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Features like heart rate sensing and hearing assistance add a layer of everyday usefulness, and the seamless Bluetooth pairing keeps things simple across devices.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Mullins banked in a 3-pointer in the final minute to counter a small run from the Illini and send the Huskies into the break with a 37-29 advantage.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Leading 46-44 a few minutes into the fourth quarter, South Carolina scored five straight points, capped by Makeer’s 3-pointer to extend the advantage to seven.
    Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • During a six-day educators strike in January 2019 led by United Teachers Los Angeles, LAUSD campuses remained open, with the district relying on substitute teachers and skeleton crews of administrators and other non-striking staff to keep schools running.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.
    Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/help. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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