better 1 of 4

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
The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023 Buschatzke and others argue that a better and more equitable approach would be to start accounting for evaporation and other water losses from the reservoirs and along the river in the Lower Basin. Los Angeles Times, 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
In the dance of love there are no betters — there is only the pursuit of radical equality. Jimi Calhoun, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Apr. 2024 Conversely, credit card delinquencies declined for sports betters, a trend that showed up a couple years after legalization and surprised Hollenbeck. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 26 July 2024
Verb
Still, Simone has apparently done some work toward bettering her mental health. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 2025 Rose has been one of the best putters in major championships in recent years: since the beginning of 2023, his average of 0.90 strokes gained putting per round is only bettered by Harris English (1.02). Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from doctors and dermatologists.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 14 June 2025
  • In 2022, Meghan and Harry attended a special Trooping the Colour that coincided with the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking her 70 years on the throne.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025
Adverb
  • Unified action is more effective than a siloed response.
    Patrick Esposito, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • Second, sugarcane is more effective at sequestering carbon than corn.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • After Massey’s death, it was revealed that Grayson previously worked for five law enforcement agencies and had been the subject of citizen complaints and criticism from superiors who questioned his competence.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • In interviews, the soldiers complained of lack of leave, corruption among superiors and the indifference of their compatriots.
    Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Sam Bennett, who scored twice in Florida’s Game 1 loss, capitalized on the man advantage with the game’s first goal.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • This pitching staff is getting slugged, rendering whatever advantage it’s created on swing-and-miss much less impactful.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Additionally, its cash-to-assets ratio of 26.1% far exceeds the market’s 13.8%.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • This breathtaking final had already exceeded five hours.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Pollination season was windy, cold and rainy — but supply chain problems began to improve and inventory came down.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • Levy said that if the political climate doesn’t improve, business for him will likely be even worse in 2026.
    Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Barring an exceptional situation, such as an injury crisis, he is not expected to play regularly for the first team — despite appearing in five games this season and scoring his first senior goal in May.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 13 June 2025
  • From San Francisco to Seoul, these 58 extraordinary watering holes serve up exceptional cocktails, stunning design and world-class service.
    Forbes Staff, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Minnesota is reeling after the attacks, and lawmakers and the public are on edge as the gunman remains at-large.
    Erin Doherty, CNBC, 15 June 2025
  • The region is already on edge as Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas, an Iranian ally, in the Gaza Strip, where war still rages after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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