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Definition of betternext

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
On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better. Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023 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
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
The two companies are teaming up to enhance the viewing experience for NBA betters. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025 That those women and men who died to end slavery, to win basic rights, to win the vote, to dethrone monarchs and destroy the ancien régime, to fight Czarism and fascism and Nazism and imperialism and apartheid, were in some way our moral betters. Jack Sheehan september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Abramovich then opened new businesses in Anadyr and set about spending more of his own money on bettering the lives of local residents. Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026 Many of my small business clients are trying to figure out how to use AI to better their businesses. Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • The spa also includes hairdressing and nail care services, with special treatments for brides.
    José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • These special beings unite to try and discover their true evolutionary purpose while being watched and hunted by a dark group called the Whispers.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • But his Rainbow Coalition, a bold alliance of Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and LGBTQ people, helped pave the way for a more progressive Democratic Party.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • An assistant under Bradley and Cherundolo, Dos Santos’ first-choice tactics will be to possess the ball, counterpress and defend as far as possible from the LAFC goal, thus dominating games while attacking more through the inside with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Around this time, a young Israeli national-security official reached the same conclusion and began urging his superiors to organize an internal coup against Assad.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
  • But when Commissioner Marty Makary presented that list for sign-off to the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the FDA, and to the White House in October, his superiors shot it down, the people said.
    Elaine Chen, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Ebba Andersson tumbled and snapped the ski binding in the second leg, giving Norway the advantage on a day where warm weather caused slushy corners that created havoc in the early stages.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The main challenge is ensuring redistricting is fair, transparent, and based on accurate population data—not drawn to protect incumbents or maximize partisan advantage.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • California’s cannabis tax revenue exceeded $500 million in the first half of 2025.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Naumov doesn’t enter with the same pressure as Malinin but has already exceeded expectations in his mind.
    Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers have developed a new system that could help improve safety of driverless cars.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Besides the pledge to increase defense spending, the defense chiefs said their countries are taking concrete steps to improve readiness and deterrence, with Britian building six new munitions factories and Germany repositioning troops near its eastern border.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Even when dining on the patio, the cuisine is exceptional, which comes as no surprise since Seabourn is a member of the famous culinary Chaîne des Rôtisseurs association.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The service is exceptional, and the food is delicious, especially the fluffy, build-your-own omelet.
    USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Arm's chip designs power most of the world's smartphones and are increasingly used in AI data centers and edge computing devices.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
  • On Thursday afternoon, OpenAI released a new cutting-edge coding model that the company said assisted in its own creation.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

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