BETTER Synonyms: 287 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

better 1 of 4

adjective

Definition of better

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

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better

3 of 4

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to exceed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lose (to)

as in to improve

to make better social workers and reformers trying to better the lives of inner-city residents

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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

Porter was in part banned for disclosing information betters used on prop bets and parlays. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026 Laster allegedly sold this information to two betters for about $100,000. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

Verb

My job as governor is to better the lives of our people, and that's for Democrats, Republicans, or independents. — Susan Page, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Yet again, nobody on the field bettered the Bosnian’s 13 defensive contributions, the majority of which came down to his nine clearances. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for better

Recent Examples of Synonyms for better

Adjective

The café uses a special roast from an NKC small-batch roaster called Northlandia, according to Stevie Rose, marketing specialist at Life Unlimited.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
The production won the Tony Award for special theatrical event.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of special

Adverb

But beyond just the legal battles and headlines, speakers on Sunday also focused on the more personal impact for people one year later.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Still, if the new CBS is managing to hold the center in Washington, there’s been a far more dramatic shift in coverage of Israel and Gaza.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of more

Noun

But after Dougan raised the concerns, the lawsuit says, his superiors took disciplinary action against him.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Reuveni, who had been promoted to serve as the acting deputy director for the Office of Immigration Litigation, warned his superiors that the government might be in violation of the court order.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of superior

Noun

Ohio polling raises questions Advertisement As polling consistently shows an advantage for Acton, Republicans are increasingly arguing that the polls may be wrong by just enough to give Ramaswamy the win.

— Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of advantage

Verb

Its quality factor, a measure of how efficiently an optical resonator stores light, exceeds 163 million.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
In May 2026, atmospheric carbon dioxide exceeded 428 parts per million, roughly 50% above pre-industrial levels and generally higher than any time in the last 2 million years.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceed

Verb

The company is reviewing costs, operations, and portfolio of brands to improve performance.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
But Hall and Woodford, in separate contributions, set about improving the Keynesian model to take into account how consumers and businesses actually make decisions about whether to invest and spend.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of improve

Adjective

When machines can instantly replicate the average, the only true moat is the exceptional.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The Brewers have an exceptional amount of talent too, and Murphy's routine of pretending like his team is a bunch of humble farmers who were playing stickball out back a few days ago is absurd and offensive.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of exceptional

Noun

Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The eastern edge of the park is the north-south alley that serves businesses along Laramie.

— Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of edge

Browse Nearby Words

bets (on)

better

bettered

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“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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