Synonyms of improve

improve

verb

im-ˈprüv 

as in to enhance

to make better

a little salt would improve this bland food

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enhance
• help
• better
• refine
• amend
• remedy
• upgrade
• remediate
• ameliorate
• perfect
• enrich
• reinforce
• strengthen
• correct
• intensify
• rehabilitate
• meliorate
• boost
• rectify
• reform
• revise
• refurbish
• fine-tune
• edit
• rework
• revamp
• fine
• fortify
• polish
• hone
• emend
• beef (up)
• redraft
• rehab
• retouch
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worsen
• impair
• hurt
• harm
• damage
• injure
• reduce
• spoil
• tarnish
• vitiate
• flaw
• diminish
• disfigure
• lessen
• blight
• mar
• lower
• deface
• endamage
• blemish

Synonym Chooser

How is the word improve distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of improve are ameliorate, better, and help. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," 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

When is it sensible to use ameliorate instead of improve?

Although the words ameliorate and improve 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

When would help be a good substitute for improve?

While the synonyms help and improve are close in meaning, help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of improve

Emphasis on improving submarine detection capabilities The contract allows the Navy to begin producing and deploying these sonobuoys for training, operational use, and inventory buildup. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026

If rain severely limits your sight, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. —Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026

That increases flexibility and improves the chances of meeting long-term emissions goals. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2026

Our coaches and teachers encouraged us to learn and improve and challenged us to push ourselves. —Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026