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Better vs Strengthen - What's the difference?

better | strengthen | Synonyms |

Better is a synonym of strengthen.


As verbs the difference between better and strengthen

is that better is to improve while strengthen is (lb) to make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify; to reinforce.

As an adjective better

is (good).

As an adverb better

is .

As a noun better

is an entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior or better can be .

better

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) better, bettre, betre, from (etyl) .

Adjective

(head)
  • (good)
  • * {{quote-video, date = 2002-11-01
    • , title = , episode = , number = 4 , passage = Badger:'' You think you're better''' than other people.
    ''Mal:'' Just the ones I'm '     better than. }}
  • (well)
  • larger, greater
    • Derived terms
    * better dead than red * better half * better off * betterness * better part of * get better
    Related terms
    * best * better than nothing * better the devil you know

    Adverb

    (head)
  • * 1901 , ,
    • “I’ve had enough of cycling with you chaps. I can spend my Sundays better than in tormenting cats and quarrelling and fighting.”
  • More, in reference to value, distance, time, etc.
    • ten miles and better
    Derived terms
    * had better * 'd better
    Related terms
    * best

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To improve.
  • * Wordsworth
    • Love betters what is best.
  • * Thackeray
    • He thought to better his circumstances.
  • * Macaulay
    • the constant effort of every man to better himself
  • To become better; to improve.
    • (Carlyle)
  • To surpass in excellence; to exceed; to excel.
  • * Hooker
    • The works of nature do always aim at that which can not be bettered .
  • To give advantage to; to support; to advance the interest of.
  • * Milton
    • Weapons more violent, when next we meet, / May serve to better us and worse our foes.
  • (slang) Had better.
    • You better do that if you know what's good for you.
    Derived terms
    * betterer * betterment
    Synonyms
    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An entity, usually animate, deemed superior to another; one who has a claim to precedence; a superior.
    • He quickly found Ali his better in the ring.
  • * Hooker
    • Their betters would hardly be found.

    Derived terms

    * get the better of

    Etymology 2

    Alternate pronunciation of (bettor) or modern formation from the verb to (bet).

    Noun

    (en noun)

    • Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    strengthen

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (lb) To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; to increase the strength of; to fortify; to reinforce.
  • :
  • *(William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)
  • *:Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,/ With powerful policy strengthen themselves.
  • *1851 , Anonymous, Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog
  • *:A little hardship, and a little struggling with the rougher elements of life, will perchance but strengthen and increase his courage, and prepare him for the conflicts and struggles of after years.
  • (lb) To animate; to give moral strength to; to encourage; to fix in resolution; to hearten.
  • *(Bible), (w) iii. 28
  • *:Charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him.
  • *
  • *:"A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day. He is strengthening his forces now against Mr. Benton out there.."
  • (lb) To augment; to improve; to intensify.
  • (lb) To grow strong or stronger.

    • Antonyms

    * atrophy

    Derived terms

    * strengthener

    References

    * English ergative verbs