improvement

noun

im-ˈprüv-mənt How to pronounce improvement (audio)
Definition of improvementnext
as in advance
an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill there's been a great improvement in your handwriting—I can actually read it!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 improvement Healthcare expenditure needs to deliver measurable improvements in health and economic outcomes. — Runchana Pongsaparn, Fortune, 31 July 2026 Years of improvements in product quality, certification and repayment records have made customer receivables increasingly attractive to investors, said Sarah Malm, executive director of the off-grid solar industry association GOGLA. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 Late last year, Brown set out to make a series of improvements to the restaurant to take it to the next level. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 The improvement was driven by Christian Dior, where creative director Jonathan Anderson’s first products have begun landing in stores. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for improvement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvement
  1. advance
  2. advancement
  3. enhancement
  4. breakthrough
  5. development
Noun
  • Kramatorsk, a town in the Donbas increasingly close to Russia’s inch-by-inch advances, and Kharkiv, a city nearer the Russian border, are also heavily impacted.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The Rocket Classic and next week's Wyndham Championship are the last two tournaments left before the top 70 advance to the FedEx Cup postseason.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of advance
Noun
  • Ogwumike also reflected on how this advancement furthers the league’s development.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • While additional forces could be impacting the group Monday, including AI advancements in China , the WSJ story is capturing a lot of attention.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • Rivian plans further enhancements, including Sirius XM and Level 3 self-driving capabilities for Autonomy+ later this year.
    — Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Our goal is earlier identification of needs, stronger prevention efforts and enhancements to our continuous quality improvement processes.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Definition of enhancement
Noun
  • Similar models exist in other countries and are seen as important to accelerating breakthroughs and administering life-saving treatments especially for rare diseases, where there is little commercial incentive for research.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Every generation has its breakthrough technology – the innovation that promises to change how companies operate, compete and grow.
    — Brent Saunders, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of breakthrough
Noun
  • The development will also include a nine-story tower with a four story garage, and four stories of office space, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • Preservationists, meanwhile, worried about the impact of taller new development on Washington Avenue’s historic scale, typically running to one or two stories in most places.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of development

Browse Nearby Words

improved
improvement
improvements
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improvement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improvement. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on improvement

Nglish: Translation of improvement for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All