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better

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adverb

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

better

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noun

better

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. 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 might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

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 better
Adjective
But Democrats and other critics said the state could use the $10 million for better purposes and questioned how it would be determined that migrants voluntarily agreed to be transported. Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2023 Despite his better instincts, a 20-year-old man went to a Gary apartment complex on Nov. 2, 2017 to sell 1.5 ounces of marijuana to his co-worker. Meredith Colias-Pete and Rebecca Jacobs, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023
Adverb
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
These elites believe parents, shoppers, and business owners cannot be trusted to weigh costs and benefits for themselves; they must be manipulated by their betters. Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2024 This represents a 35% increase in individual betters, and they were expected to wager a total of $23.1 billion, a monetary increase of 44% above last year. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
His mission: to better the quality of food, and life, in space missions. Anna Spiegel, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025 Congress itself is rarely a source of creative insights of how to better address threats linked to international and domestic terrorism. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for better 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Trump was indicted himself on charges linked to the Jan. 6 insurrection that tried to stop Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory, but those charges were later dismissed by special counsel Jack Smith after Trump reclaimed the presidency in last November’s election.
    Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025
  • There is no special secret or special protection style or special technique.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Experts have pointed to the link between climate change and the conditions that make fires like those that have roared across Los Angeles in recent weeks more likely.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The supporting actor categories look a little more settled.
    Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In it, former AP photo editor Carl Robinson said he was told by a superior to give Nick Ut credit for the photo that the film claims was actually taken by NBC News driver Nguyen Thanh Nghe.
    Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Some hockey experts consider the CHL superior to the USHL in terms of developing players for prospective NHL careers, though others see the USHL, whose 16 teams all play in the United States, as preferable.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But Herro has been the more efficient player, with advantages in shooting percentage (47.4 to 44.9) and three-point percentage (40.4 to 39.0) and turnovers (2.3 per game to Lillard’s 2.8).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025
  • With a small majority in the Senate, and a wafer-thin GOP advantage in the House, this is just wishful thinking on the part of Rep. Ogles.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In many cases, though, the payments proposed in the email would far exceed that sum.
    Chris Cameron, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Many employees in our restaurants routinely earn $25 to $40 per hour, far exceeding the minimum wage.
    Nicole Ayala, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Should the lab leak theory be dismissed, trust between the two countries might actually improve, as tensions between them ease.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
  • So far, the overall box office is improving on 2024 with ticket sales up 10.9% from the same point a year ago, according to Comscore.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • America will soon be greater, stronger and far more exceptional than ever before.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Vogue Weddings An all-access invitation to the exceptional and inspirational, plus planning tips and advice.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • During Vrabel’s early days in Tennessee, players would walk into team meetings on edge.
    Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she’s been on edge for weeks as major blazes devastated Southern California.
    Marcio Jose Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near better

Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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