hale 1 of 2

Definition of halenext

hale

2 of 2

verb

as in to haul
to cause to follow by applying steady force on the fishermen haled the huge net onto the deck of the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hale distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of hale?

Although the words healthy and hale have much in common, healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

In what contexts can robust take the place of hale?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is sound a more appropriate choice than hale?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of hale?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could wholesome be used to replace hale?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. However, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

How is the word hale distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of hale?

Although the words healthy and hale have much in common, healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

In what contexts can robust take the place of hale?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is sound a more appropriate choice than hale?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of hale?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could wholesome be used to replace hale?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. 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 hale
Adjective
The Chamber of Commerce dream demographic for new Angelenos was hale, white, middle- and yeoman-class Americans. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 What this signal reveals is a home range that hardly budged in Fred’s early adolescence, while the hale and hearty growth rates of childhood dramatically fell off. Peter Brannen, The Atlantic, 22 June 2022
Verb
Even though no one is being haled into court, parents still need to behave civilly. Paul Sullivan, New York Times, 8 May 2020 Then an employer who attempts union-busting could be haled into court and face an injunction against demoting or firing union organizers, followed by a trial and possibly heavy damages. Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, 28 June 2018 See All Example Sentences for hale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hale
Adjective
  • And kids who learn financial literacy early on are more likely to form healthy relationships with money that can help improve their financial and overall well-being as adults, according to a 2022 study by researchers at Brigham Young University.
    Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Dandelion seeds easily take hold in bare spots, so keep your lawn thick and healthy.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The bears also rummaged through neighbors’ trash and hauled it back beneath the house.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The company representative said all that's necessary to start hauling for them is federal authorization, which requires proof of minimal insurance and paying a $300 fee online.
    Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Get well Dodger friend and may God bless you and your family.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
  • That's all well and good, and that's a huge part of the learning process.
    Bryant Reed, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the next morning, the equipment had to be pulled.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Many Democrats are pulling endorsements and demanding Swalwell exit the race.
    Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Leveraging this method has long been awaited by cosmologists, but only in recent years has data for both the CMB and for large-scale structure surveys become robust enough to yield a meaningful result like this.
    Big Think, Big Think, 21 Apr. 2026
  • But as China has remained comparatively insulated amid the historic disruption of global oil markets – even clocking robust growth in the first quarter of 2026 – Xi and his planners appear even more assured in their strategy.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The wave of online comments was sparked by the boss of condom maker Karex, Goh Miah Kiat, who said the Malaysian company planned to raise prices by 20%-30% and possibly more if supply chain disruptions due to the Iran war drag on.
    Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • After dragging Newport from right to left and back to the right again, holding midfielder Ashley Charles goes over the top to find Ilunga on the right.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The recovery process involves Navy divers attaching devices between the spacecraft and the vessel to allow teams to tow Orion toward the ship and secure it for its trip to shore.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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