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Definitions

better

[bet-er] / ˈbɛt ər /


ADJECTIVE
larger
Synonyms
Antonyms
WEAK






Usage

What are other ways to say improve? To better is to improve conditions which, though not bad, are unsatisfying: to better an attempt, oneself (as by gaining a higher salary). Improve usually implies remedying a lack or a felt need: to improve a process, oneself (as by gaining more knowledge). The more formal verb ameliorate implies improving oppressive, unjust, or difficult conditions: to ameliorate working conditions.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Wilkie said better governance and more funding was required to address the problem.

From BBC Aug. 25, 2026

"I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren't in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets."

From Barron's Aug. 25, 2026

My Washington, D.C., apartment lease was ending the same day as my job, so this seemed like a better plan than refreshing LinkedIn until my soul left my body.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 25, 2026

“But if you want to play games, we’ve got better things to do.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 25, 2026

“So,” I ponder, “my freedom might be different? My life might be better in another way?”

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

His betters resented Duchamp’s attempt at depicting movement and judged the title vulgar.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 12, 2026

This week: Polymarket teamed up with the Golden Globes, displaying a live ticker for betters on the broadcast.

From Slate Jan. 17, 2026

Like my literary betters, I sometimes worry that reading distracts me from writing.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 16, 2026

Billions are riding on such sports event contracts, and it isn’t just the wagers of individual betters.

From Barron's Nov. 6, 2025

I replied that Pro Bono was my elder, and I felt it unseemly to speak when my betters were conversing.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Overall, England's record of nine home Ashes wins in Leeds is bettered only by their 17 at The Oval, and The Oval has hosted 36 Ashes Tests compared to Headingley's 26.

From BBC Aug. 21, 2026

That performance, bettered only by leading pair Adrianna Sulek-Schubert of Poland and Ireland's Kate O'Connor, followed a time of 14 seconds flat in the 100m hurdles which ranked 15th overall.

From BBC Aug. 14, 2026

The 19-year-old bettered the world record set by Australia's Kaylee McKeown three years ago by 0.23secs in her semi-final.

From BBC Aug. 12, 2026

His Premier League win percentage of 46.9% at the club is bettered only by Kevin Keegan.

From BBC Jul. 30, 2026

She was supposed to want to meet men, to keep her eyes open; she was supposed to see The General as an option that could be bettered.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

She said Chinese biotechs have “gotten very good with pretty-well-known targets—in bettering them, in really getting more precise.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 10, 2026

And not to the exclusion of bettering their lives by paying attention to the nitty and the gritty, like making housing and higher education more readily available and, yes, fixing potholes.

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 8, 2026

The Cleveland Brown's Myles Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record when he claimed his 23rd of the campaign on Sunday - bettering the previous best of 22.5 first set by Michael Strahan in 2001.

From BBC Jan. 5, 2026

Stewart says California has set "a powerful example" by bettering the quality and sustainability of its school lunch, "showing what's possible nationwide."

From Salon Oct. 16, 2024

It is her only hope of bettering her lot and seeing her children again.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario




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