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as in to benefit
to provide with something useful or desirable being independently wealthy certainly helped him during his years as a struggling young artist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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help

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word help distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of help are ameliorate, better, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

In what contexts can ameliorate take the place of help?

Although the words ameliorate and help 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

How do improve and better relate to one another, in the sense of help?

Both 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

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 help
Verb
Pro tip: For an extra secure statement, an over-the-top dusting of loose powder can help to ensure your pout stays precise—even in severely damp conditions. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025 Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Films has, obviously, helped popularize the appeal of scare-mongering movies. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
There are several ways to get help filing your taxes. Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 6 Feb. 2023 That’s when content teams should get some help from AI tools in handling the details. John Hall, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for help 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for help
Verb
  • According to the Chambers County Sheriff's Office, Cauthen stopped to assist a couple after their car hit a deer on County Road 267 in the Stroud community.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Aimed at assisting artists and arts workers affected by the conflagrations, the fund inaugurated its application process on January 20 and will accept applications through February 18.
    News Desk, Artforum, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Stress: Jennie can help alleviate psychological stress in long-term hospital patients.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • With no viable options for a second scorer to take the load off of Curry, getting either Vucevic or Turner will help alleviate the scoring burden and with lineup versatility.
    Jannelle Moore, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Injuries and Cole Palmer’s emergence have prevented Nkunku from displaying his brilliance at Chelsea, but his profile would be a valuable addition to any top side.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, a memorial scholarship was created to benefit those who wish to pursue a career in law enforcement.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Since 2003, following the enactment of Law 814, Colombia has also benefited from a film development fund, managed by Proimágenes Colombia, led by Claudia Triana.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Vitamin D supplements may improve joint pain in people with vitamin D deficiency.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Cooper Flagg scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists playing 39 of 40 minutes in the Duke Blue Devils’ 63-56 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday. Duke, the No. 2 team in the nation, improved to 17-2 and 9-0 against ACC opponents.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • That means not just Calais Campbell, Chubb and Phillips’ assistance in the Penn State product’s game but also the likes of Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead.
    C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025
  • By law, applications for HEAP assistance open each year in early November, and remain open until the funds run out.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 23 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
Noun
  • The Giants will have no shortage of candidates to round out the pitching staff on Opening Day, especially after signing Justin Verlander to join a rotation that also includes Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Jordan Hicks.
    Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The City of Charlotte paid nearly $64,500 to send the majority of the City Council and six city staff members on the same trip.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near help

Cite this Entry

“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/help. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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