better 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of betternext
as in special

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Dissimilar Words

better

2 of 4

adverb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

better

3 of 4

noun

1
as in superior
one who is above another in rank, station, or office be polite to your betters and to your inferiors in equal measure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition she got the better of her opponents very early in the race

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

better

4 of 4

verb

1
as in to exceed
to be greater, better, or stronger than this year's profits should better last year's by a wide margin

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to improve
to make better social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Implementing better protocol for detection and providing translation services to parents in these areas is essential so they can get diagnosed and referred, said Beckerman. — Nada Hassanein, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2023 Yet the company hasn’t linked their use to better weight-loss outcomes, in part because people don’t use them consistently. — Geoffrey A. Fowler, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2023
Adverb
Renner requested documents showing communications from HCPS to better understand how the book challenges are addressed. — Joshua Q. Nelson, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2023 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
Noun
Laster allegedly sold this information to two betters for about $100,000. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026 The fact that there was a 54 million dollar bounty out on this guy collectively from betters, including one user called MAGAMyMan, who had won $553,000 on the timing of all this. — Brian Barrett, Wired News, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
The final standing of seventh has not been bettered since 1954-55. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026 This lessens the chance of fungal diseases and betters airflow and light exposure to all parts of the plant. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
  1. special
  2. more
  3. superior
  4. advantage
  5. exceed
  6. improve
  7. exceptional
  8. edge
Adjective
  • That aching ballad about wanting more, aside from being one of the big showstoppers, holds a special place for Greene.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The latter can be superbly made, and can add something special to the process, but does require a little more practice to get comfortable with.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of special
Adverb
  • Yet there’s also a growing inevitability to those clubs losing their stars to domestic rivals, an event occurring far more frequently than before and which further solidifies the hierarchical structure of English football.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Similar to Democratic primaries elsewhere, the race was viewed as a matchup between a centrist Democrat, Lamont, and a more progressive candidate like Elliott.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of more
Noun
  • Leo claimed that he was not allowed to call his own witnesses as part of an investigation, which ITN insiders dispute, even though all those interviewed were his superiors.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman said Flores simply could have taken notes on the inappropriate comments and turned them in to superiors or the independent inspector general, which strikes me as either sweetly naive or disingenuous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of superior
Noun
  • The Democrat leads Republican challenger Mike Collins in every major public poll, holds a massive fundraising advantage and is now trying to peel away GOP voters.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called out his struggling club after a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday cost them a significant tiebreaker in the race for home-field advantage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantage
Verb
  • Liverpool will be guaranteed to play at least 48 times this season, and the expectation will be to comfortably exceed 50 matches.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Soil samples from the two elementary school campuses, City Terrace and Christopher Dena, exceeded the applicable regulatory screening levels of lead, which were flagged for further evaluation.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of exceed
Verb
  • At 28 years old, the sizeable outlay on the Brazilian midfielder continues Arsenal’s ploy of spending big money on players who can immediately improve their first team.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Some activists remain positive that more staffers at shelters will improve conditions, but others argue the money should go straight to the animals through food, enrichment and supplies instead of wages.
    — Hailey Wang, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of improve
Adjective
  • Its exceptional duration results from near-perfect celestial geometry.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Similar to Abrams, the young shortstop had shown a knack for exceptional, highlight-reel plays while struggling with consistency.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of exceptional
Noun
  • In addition, Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb were the only edge-rushing outside linebackers on the field for the Bills’ first-team defense.
    — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • And this year, the popular concept will be revisited in a new mid-top form, giving the shoe an even more boot-like edge.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of edge

Phrases Containing better

Browse Nearby Words

bets (on)
better
bettered
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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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