better than

1. 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.

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

Example Sentences

As one blogger wrote, “I think the most important point that outrages Chinese is that Ping … lived a better-than-average life.”

From The Daily Beast

Some better-than-anticipated revenue streams reduced the deficit to around $10 billion.

From The Daily Beast

Based on these historical odds, Obama has a better-than-67-percent chance of winning reelection.

From The Daily Beast

Family members of the miners are being kept in better-than-usual accommodations.

From The Daily Beast

Above all, she says, nuns must learn to eschew Pharisaism, the better-than-thou frame of mind.

From Project Gutenberg

The other hypothesis we may call the-prevention-is-better-than-cure theory.

From Project Gutenberg

It is made of better-than-ordinary materials and is intended to be used for better-than-ordinary purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a sort of self-satisfied, touch-me-not happiness, with a better-than-you-are smirk about it.

From Project Gutenberg