help 1 of 2

Definition of helpnext
1
2
3
4
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

5

help

2 of 2

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
Lewis promised to help modernize the paper’s business. Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026 Summertime night tours have recently been introduced, which aim to help visitors imagine how the city once felt after sunset. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Now, Ring wants to turn your entire neighborhood into extra eyes with help from AI. Staff, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026 In the meantime, the family has reached a point of desperation, pleading with the public via social media for help finding their mother. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for help
Recent Examples of Synonyms for help
Verb
  • In an interview with Time later in 2025, Williams denied that her appearance was designed to assist Lamar in dissing Drake.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The technology could also improve performance in collaborative tasks that require physical contact, such as object handling, assisted mobility devices, and service robotics, by allowing robots to continuously adjust grip and contact force during interaction.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Duren shoved Diabate’s face, and despite people on both sides trying to alleviate the tension, the usually mild-mannered Diabate kept trying to find Duren again.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Oil prices dipped on Tuesday on signs that talks between the US and Iran are alleviating the risk of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, even as the US continues to ramp up pressure on Russia’s oil exports.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Understanding how these factors can cause colon cancer goes a long way in helping prevent it.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Some were concerned the federal government would take the land or prevent access.
    Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The side-effect question Some investors are looking for winners in the AI boom by finding companies that might benefit from the side effects.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The White House is banking that bigger tax refunds this spring will benefit Republicans in the fall, but some strategists and economists project that the political upside will be short-lived, Politico reports.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Maye’s numbers improved somewhat in the second half but not nearly enough to prevent the Seahawks from claiming a 29-13 victory.
    Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • However, the ability to choose an educational environment that truly fits our child has not only improved their academic performance, but also their overall happiness and outlook on life.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Wang won election to the Arcadia City Council in November 2022 with assistance from Sun, who at the time, was her fiance and campaign consultant.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Many brands agreed, however, that financing must be paired with technical assistance, diagnostics, and capacity building, along with strong governance and grievance mechanisms to ensure transparency.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And the country’s colossal pharma production industry is gearing up to take advantage by selling generic versions.
    Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • But turning this moment into lasting advantage will require careful planning, not just short-term opportunism.
    Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And also there’s a huge music staff with a lot of know-how and really, really deep knowledge and contacts and relationships in that space.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The union won more protections for immigrant students, including training for staff on how to address federal immigration enforcement, and agreement from the district against using artificial intelligence to replace teachers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/help. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on help

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!