weal

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noun (1)

ˈwēl

Synonyms of weal next

: a sound, healthy, or prosperous state : well-being

obsolete : body politic, commonweal

weal

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Did you know?

Weal has, since the dawn of English, referred to well-being. It’s most often used in the phrase “common weal” to refer to the general good—that is, to the happiness, health, and safety of everyone in a community or nation. A closed form of this phrase, commonweal, has since the 14th century carried the same meaning, but it once also referred to an organized political entity, such as a nation or state. This job (among others) is now done by the word’s close relation, commonwealth. At one time, weal and wealth were synonyms; both meant “riches” (as in “all their worldly weal”) and “well-being.” Both words stem from wela, the Old English word for “well-being,” and are closely related to the Old English word for “well.” An unrelated word weal is a synonym of welt in its painful application.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These and scores of other crimes against the public weal are carelessly grouped under this or that vague heading—libertarian prerogative, consumer sovereignty, anti-wokism, what have you—and enshrined as yet another instance of the way things have to be. —

Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 30 Sep. 2021 Evince an old-fashioned interest in the public weal? —

Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.