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
help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.
a coat of paint would help that house
ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.
tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements
Example Sentences
Verb Don't blame me: I was only trying to help! Help! Somebody call the police! She took an aspirin to help her headache. Humor often helps a tense situation. It's not much money, but every little bit helps. Noun He thanked us for our help. I could use some help with the dishes. We could hear shouts for help coming from the house. He's been more of a hindrance than a help. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Natural beauty transcended rank and could help women to attract rich suitors, buy gifts, or wield influence over male lovers. Rachel Ashcroft, Longreads, 17 Sep. 2022 That often involves taking local action, but the application can also help the public understand the ramifications of national policies. Kyle Bagenstose, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 The gleaming Midtown campus was a $450 million bet that a corporate beachhead in Midtown could help the company recruit top talent from Georgia Tech and other research universities. Kelly Yamanouchi, ajc, 16 Sep. 2022 Williams believes the quarterback will help his teammates along. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 Physical therapy can help people re-learn to safely move around, sit, stand, and walk after a spinal fusion surgery; during the recovery process, people sometimes wear a brace to keep the spine aligned correctly. Maggie O'neill, SELF, 16 Sep. 2022 At the meeting, Mr. Putin noted that at the request of New Delhi, deliveries of Russian fertilizers to India increased by more than eight times, and expressed the hope this would help India’s agricultural situation. Tripti Lahiri, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government recently approved billions of dollars worth of rebates to help people make their homes more energy efficient and cut their power bills.Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 Discovering which scenario is correct is important because that knowledge could help predict what happens next.WIRED, 16 Sep. 2022
Noun
It’s Ben Oreskes here with a great deal of help from Dakota Smith, Julia Wick and Dave Zahniser. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 But analysts say the package may prove of limited help for millions. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2022 Brunson helped facilitate the donation of some of the show’s Emmy campaign funds toward supplies for schools in need of help. Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 Sep. 2022 By Friday, the migrants were being bussed off of Martha’s Vineyard to Joint Base Camp Cod on the mainland after receiving an outpouring of help from the people on the island. Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Jeltema advised motorists to activate their hazard lights, like the veteran did, when in need of help. Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2022 Westminster goalie Andra Hull was getting a bit of help as the Owls worked to preserve a one-goal lead in the second half Wednesday against visiting Bel Air. Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 15 Sep. 2022 Xi will agree to provide a surge of military help to the faltering Russian invasion. Frida Ghitis, CNN, 13 Sep. 2022 Michigan State’s opening contests have also been largely drama free as incumbent QB Payton Thorne has gotten plenty of help from RBs Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard. Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English helpan; akin to Old High German helfan to help, and perhaps to Lithuanian šelpti