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Definitions

better

[bet-er] / ˈbɛt ər /
ADJECTIVE
excelling, more excellent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exceptional improved superior
STRONG
choice exceeding fitter preferred sharpened sophisticated surpassing
WEAK
bigger finer greater higher quality larger more appropriate more desirable more fitting more select more suitable more useful more valuable preferable prominent souped-up worthier
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inferior
WEAK
littler more ill sicker smaller tinier unhealthy worse
ADJECTIVE
improved in health
Synonyms
STRONGEST
improving well
STRONG
convalescent cured fitter mending progressing recovering
WEAK
fully recovered healthier less ill more healthy on the comeback trail on the mend on the road to recovery out of the woods over the hump stronger
Antonyms
WEAK
littler more ill sicker smaller tinier unhealthy worse
ADJECTIVE
larger
Synonyms
STRONGEST
more
STRONG
longer
WEAK
bigger greater preponderant weightier
Antonyms
WEAK
littler more ill sicker smaller tinier unhealthy worse
ADVERB
in a more excellent manner
Synonyms
STRONGEST
more
WEAK
finer greater in a superior way more advantageously more attractively more competently more completely more effectively more thoroughly preferably to a greater degree
Antonyms
WEAK
worse
VERB
improve performance; outdo
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance beat correct enhance exceed excel raise surpass
STRONG
ameliorate amend best cap forward further help meliorate mend outshine outstrip promote rectify refine reform revamp top transcend
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be inferior decrease fail fall behind lose lower reduce retreat stop
STRONG
block cease check corrupt damage halt harm hinder hurt impair impede injure obstruct ruin worsen
WEAK
deteriorate get worse

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.

A job in the trades, he thought, might offer a better path—one with less debt, something he could excel at.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

I’m not a politician and I’m not an expert, but I do have empathy for people who are just trying to work hard and make a better life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

"I'll find a better way / To explain this to you... Under one condition, though / It's unconditional," he sings.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

While McDonald’s global footprint allows it to absorb margin pressure better than rivals, value offers might reset customer expectations and make it harder to raise prices later.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

“I’d be better if the girl who’s supposed to play Scrabble with me at four o’clock showed up on time.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary lists containing better

"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution"

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