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 In a fibromyalgia clinical study cited in that review, patients receiving twice-weekly 40 Hz treatments for five weeks reported significant pain and quality-of-life improvements. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026 In a clinical study focusing on fibromyalgia, patients receiving twice-weekly 40 Hz vibroacoustic treatments for five weeks showed significant improvements in pain scores and quality of life measures. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026 November 22 – December 21 One practical improvement could make your next opportunity easier to recognize. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026 Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 One practical improvement could make your next opportunity easier to recognize. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 10 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
  • Pilot program advances The DOE Reactor Pilot Program is designed to shorten the timeline for bringing advanced reactor concepts from development into real-world operation through streamlined testing and regulatory pathways.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • But even as those capabilities advance, human expertise won’t become less important.
    — Tony Bates, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of advance
Noun
  • Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.
    — Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
  • Or the pressure to adopt AI may lead some workers to either seek jobs that do not involve those new advancements or retire altogether.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 13 July 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • They can be triggered by something as small as a single word, a passing comment, or a seemingly harmless decision or, as with Steve and Lilly, a seemingly appropriate request for clarification or small enhancement.
    — Susan MacKenty Brady, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • These software enhancements are expected to be important as the MQ-25A progresses through further development stages.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of enhancement
Noun
  • Stepping back from these intimate, personal breakthroughs, the series’ broader conflict over land ownership comes to a head in the penultimate episode, which was penned by Cherokee writer Tom Hanada and helmed by Navajo filmmaker Sydney Freeland.
    — Max Gao, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
  • As drone warfare continues to evolve, breakthroughs in speed and maneuverability are becoming increasingly important.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of breakthrough
Noun
  • Artists displayed photos of original Miami spots and newer city developments crossing over into local areas, like Waymos and tourist traps.
    — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • But despite growing international demand for Chinese goods, domestic consumption remains a critical weak spot in the nation’s economic development.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 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 17 Jul. 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 obdurate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All