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 Scans of his brain showed steady improvement—a little bleeding and swelling, and there was some air in his brain tissue from where the knife had been. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026 The company’s unified labor management system is expected to deliver a 5 percent to 15 percent improvement in labor costs in individual operations, with AI adding mid-single-digit productivity on top, GXO said on the earnings call. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026 Today Since the transition from pensions to DC plans, there have been gradual improvements in the DC system that have improved the uptake and utilization of these retirement savings plans. — Jeff Stevenson, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026 October also marked a sharp improvement from September's weak jobs numbers, when just 29,000 jobs were added to the economy. — Sarah Min,sawdah Bhaimiya,sean Conlon, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for improvement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improvement
  1. advance
  2. advancement
  3. enhancement
  4. breakthrough
  5. development
Noun
  • The order blocks the government from removing additional trees and compels advance notice before the government irreversibly alters more of the course.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Financial and coding advances Financial research represents another major application for Hy4.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of advance
Noun
  • Announced in September, Daimler Truck's newest safety advancements include Active Cross Traffic Assist, Active Sideguard Assist 3, and improvements to its Active Drive Assist system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The successful demonstration represents more than an advancement in drone technology.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • Last year, the city stopped repaving streets for eight months as officials struggled with staffing shortages to meet federal requirements to construct curb ramps for wheelchairs and new city rules that mandate bike, bus and pedestrian enhancements.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • By the late nineteenth century, the name Bell and the practice of elocution—the professional enhancement of the voice—had become close to synonymous.
    — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of enhancement
Noun
  • The project traces Ali’s breakthrough as a gold medal boxer through his brutal battle with Sonny Liston.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Naturally, Max Mara had plenty of representation in the room, with Fonda, Hannah Waddingham, Caylee Cowan, and breakthrough star Adria Arjona among those wearing the Italian label.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of breakthrough
Noun
  • Fraga added that her administration remains focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, economic development and delivering effective, accountable government.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Cardenas is a leadership coach and organizational development consultant who lives in Fort Worth.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of defer

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

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

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All