1
2
3
4

Try This Instead

For
Try This
a healthy diet
a nutritious diet
a balanced diet
a beneficial diet
a proper diet
a good diet
a healthy economy
a strong economy
a stable economy
a balanced economy
a sturdy economy
a sustainable economy
healthy life
active life
happy life
a healthy environment
a sustainable environment
a positive environment
a helpful environment
a safe environment
a beneficial environment

Synonym Chooser

How is the word healthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of healthy are hale, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

Where would hale be a reasonable alternative to healthy?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthy, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When is robust a more appropriate choice than healthy?

While the synonyms robust and healthy are close in meaning, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When might sound be a better fit than healthy?

Although the words sound and healthy have much in common, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When would well be a good substitute for healthy?

The words well and healthy can be used in similar contexts, but well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

In what contexts can wholesome take the place of healthy?

The meanings of wholesome and healthy largely overlap; however, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of healthy Implementing healthy habits slowly works better than making big, sweeping changes all at once. Caroline Tien, SELF, 26 June 2025 Though online diets are often filled with rigid rules and exclusions, the healthiest way to eat takes into account your mental and emotional health as well, experts previously told USA TODAY. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 26 June 2025 Curcumin also supports the healthy flexibility and function of your blood vessels. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 26 June 2025 Some of the presentation seemed to directly challenge the recent decision by Kennedy and the Trump administration to remove the recommendation to vaccinate healthy children and pregnant women. Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthy
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com/IdentityTheft 10.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
  • But maybe, in an odd way, the timing is good, given the looming July 31 trade deadline.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • This, coupled with liquidity issues, can lead to cash flow crises, forcing sales at substantial discounts.
    Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The spending will be paid for, in part, through substantial cuts to social safety net programs.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The food industry has a lot riding on, and even more to gain from, adopting practices that help stabilize the climate and support thriving ecosystems.
    Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Whatever happens, Chicago needs a thriving and affordable ride-share sector — ride-share is part of our transit ecosystem.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Desktop Specialist is a fast entry point; the Data Analyst certification builds on it with more robust tools for visual analytics.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The mobile app is far more robust for video than the desktop web browser version.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • While supporters of incinerators cite the facilities’ use of high-level technology and that emissions are within healthful limits, environmentalists emphasize that incinerators still release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, mercury, dioxins, cadmium and particulate matter.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • The menus designed for each Female Wellness guest are crafted specifically to their needs but are in line with the company’s overall sustainable, local, healthful plans.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tommy John surgery typically carries a recovery timeline of at least 12 months, which would put Schmidt on track to miss a sizable portion of next season, too.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • These figures include both customers who paid sizable deposits for ready-to-deliver vehicles and others who secured pre-production units with smaller deposits.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • By addressing sleep deserts through thoughtful investment and revitalization, Baltimore can help ensure that all residents — regardless of neighborhood — have the opportunity to rest well, live well and contribute to a more prosperous city.
    Wendy Troxel, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025
  • States were able to build more prosperous economies without fearing that a greater military power would conquer them or force them into unequal treaties to fork over the spoils.
    Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Healthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthy. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!