1. improvement The returns or receipts include all that is received from an outlay or investment; the profit is the excess (if any) of the receipts over the outlay; hence, in government, morals, etc., the Synonyms: profit, advantage, expediency, proceeds, service, avail, gain, receipts, usefulness, benefit, good, return, utility, emolument, improvement, returns, value Antonyms: damage, detriment, harm, injury, ruin, destruction, disadvantage, hurt, loss, waste