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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:

To have any hope of winning over the public, Powell McCormick said, the AI industry will have to get much better at talking about its product and the potential societal benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

“I’m enjoying the process, I’m enjoying myself week in and week out getting better, enjoying being out there with the guys,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026

"It would have been way smarter and better for us to shut up," says the Edge.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Fewer people are quitting or leaving their jobs and finding better ones.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026

She’s doing so much better, in fact, that Dr. Johansen allows members of the public—Joey’s friends, mostly—to attend her commencement.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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

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

From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2025

In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2025

He was not comfortable with these men—that was it—it was difficult for him to accept them as his elders and betters in the faith.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin

He averaged 111.53 in the final, setting a new record as he bettered Taylor's 111.23 against Adrian Lewis in 2013.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Among NL pitchers with at least 70 innings, his ERA is bettered only by Misiorowski.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

Against Morocco, he was only bettered by an extra 369 metres from Lewis Ferguson.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

"I think there was an attempt to be smarter and involve the actual game, I think that was a tipping point, neither of those songs have been bettered since," he added.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 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

I think we still have a long way to go in terms of bettering ourselves, but we’ve come a long way from the beginning.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

They have 67 goals in 35 Premier League matches - with only Manchester City bettering their record in the English top flight with 69 in 34 games.

From BBC ● May 6, 2026

Abdul Hammed currently works at a warehouse, but the 33-year-old has come to the apprenticeship fair in the hope of bettering himself.

From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2026

At all these studies Ged was apt, and within a month was bettering lads who had been a year at Roke before him.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin


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