salutary

adjective

sal·​u·​tary ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē 

1

: producing a beneficial effect : remedial

salutary influences

2

: promoting health : curative

salutarily

ˌsal-yə-ˈter-ə-lē 

adverb

salutariness

ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of salutary

• beneficial
• favorable
• helpful
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for salutary

healthful, wholesome, salubrious, salutary mean favorable to the health of mind or body.

healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.

wholesome foods

the movie is wholesome family entertainment

salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.

cool and salubrious weather

salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

Examples of salutary in a Sentence

The accident should be a salutary lesson to be more careful.

the low interest rates should have a salutary effect on business

Recent Examples on the Web

Fortune recently made similar arguments, noting that those jobs with a human factor or relational aspect are already pulling in above-average salaries, particularly in nursing and teaching: Nurse Dana from The Pitt is a salutary example. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026

Bart argues that such promotion has a salutary social function, reaching people in underserved communities who might not otherwise be aware that they are entitled to aggressive, contingency-fee advocacy. —Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Trump’s announcement did have the salutary effect of placing the issue of financial services costs on the front burner, after its having languished for years. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026

There have been periods of salutary resistance—Wordsworth remains a fortifying example—but in general the drift has been constant. —Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French salutaire, from Latin salutaris, from salut-, salus health

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for salutary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

salutary

adjective

sal·​u·​tary ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē 

1

: producing a good result

2

: furthering good health

salutariness noun

Medical Definition

salutary

adjective

sal·​u·​tary ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē 

: promoting health : curative