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Definition of helpnext
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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
The main thing Jeffries can do as Minority Leader is to help Democrats get back into the majority. Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 The best way to help yourself is to change the system for everyone, instead of aiming to become another token for the perpetuation of whiteness. Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Noun
With the help of Scooby’s uncle, Daisuke-Doo, along with new friends, a magical girl Yume, and gadget whiz Takumi, the group embarks on an all-new mystery filled with monster chasing and fun chaos. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 May 2026 This is a particular thrill because last year at the festival, Young collapsed onstage before ultimately going on hiatus from performing for six months and checking into a holistic facility for help with addiction and mental health. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for help
Recent Examples of Synonyms for help
Verb
  • In the 15th minute, Hermansen overhit his pass for Todbio, which enabled winger Harvey Barnes to capitalise on the mistake to assist Nick Woltemade.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • Suppose a mid-sized company has decided to deploy internally an AI agent that will assist in choosing vendors that the firm will make use of.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Experts and officials say the progress is largely thanks to the billions of dollars in public spending statewide, expanding street outreach, boosting rental assistance and converting motels into shelters and supportive housing, among other efforts to alleviate homelessness.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
  • Alternatively, suggesting that the chat switch mediums (from iMessage to email, for example) may also alleviate some of the pressure to read or respond immediately to messages.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Ibrahim’s injuries prevent him from working, so Hiba supports the household, often picking up private cleaning jobs from Facebook ads.
    Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • Plus, the addition of a cuff adds a more polished aesthetic that prevents you from looking frumpy at the office or dinner.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Importing higher-paying—and oftentimes higher-achieving—students benefits a school during boom times, when universities have seemingly infinite choice among applicants.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
  • Patients who can afford the membership fees may benefit from the screening alone — whether the regenerative therapies deliver on their longevity promise remains an open scientific question.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Fu also stressed that more work needs to be done to boost domestic demand, urging businesses to improve their offerings to attract consumers.
    Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • The Sparks fell to 1-3 (tied with Seattle for last place in the Western Conference) while Toronto improved to 2-2.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Experts and officials say the progress is largely thanks to the billions of dollars in public spending statewide, expanding street outreach, boosting rental assistance and converting motels into shelters and supportive housing, among other efforts to alleviate homelessness.
    Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
  • Significantly for the Charlotte area, the region is eligible for both grants and closing cost assistance.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • For one thing, that extra speed—plus a spike in spin, which has allowed pitchers to throw harder while also making the ball swerve, dive, and kick—has given pitchers an even greater advantage over batters than before.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Lennard scored a late touchdown in the second quarter and had a 6-0 advantage at halftime.
    Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • After staff members broke up the altercation for a second time, several individuals, including Hayes and two of her daughters, were moved to a grassy area beside the school building, according to the affidavit.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • Hospital officials said the risk of infection to staff remained low but called the quarantine a precautionary measure.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/help. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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