more than
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for more than, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Preposition — Greater in number, amount or degree than a stated figure or thing.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. preposition
Greater in number, amount or degree than a stated figure or thing.
“More than 200 people applied for the job.”
Opposites
2. adverb
Used before an adjective or adverb to mean 'very' or 'amply', with a suggestion that the standard is comfortably exceeded.
“You are more than welcome to stay the night.”
How to Use More Than
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral. In careful writing, 'more than' is preferred to 'over' before precise counts, though both are widely accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'more than' and 'over'?
With numbers they mean the same thing, and both are standard English. Some style guides prefer 'more than' for countable quantities and reserve 'over' for spatial relationships, but the supposed rule against 'over 200 people' has no real basis.
Should it be 'more than' or 'fewer than'?
They are opposites, not alternatives. 'More than' works for both countable and uncountable nouns, while its opposite splits: 'fewer than' for things you count, 'less than' for quantities you measure.