better than

Idioms  

1. Superior to, as in He's no better than Tom at writing a memo . [9th century]

2. More than, larger in amount or greater in rate, as in My new car can do better than 100 miles an hour , or The new plan will cut better than 15 percent of costs . Some authorities consider this usage colloquial and advise that it be avoided in formal writing. [Late 1500s] Also see better half , def. 1.

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Example Sentences

He was light on specifics, other than saying he was going to do better than the others and that he would prioritize public safety above all.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Disney shares jumped in pre-market trading Wednesday as the entertainment giant reported better than expected revenues and profits, thanks in part to growth in its streaming business.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

When compared against an 'average' kicker in the tournament, Harrison - already established as a distinctly above-average kicker - performs even better: she is 8.2 points better than the model predicts.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The company, regarded as a bellwether for the British retail sector logged a 6.2% increase in full-price sales for the first quarter ended May 2, better than the 4% rise it had anticipated.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Even Karli knew better than to interrupt this family ritual.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo