mindmap root((改善)) improve the general term, applies to what is capable of being made better whether it is good or bad: measures to ~ the quality of medical care. better a more vigorous and homely term,differs little in meaning: immigrants hope to ~ their lot in life. help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement: a coat of paint could ~ the house. ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable the conditions that are hard to endure: a cancerous condition that cannot be ~d by chemotherapy.