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
  • But his family says Ty was perfectly healthy before suddenly dying.
    Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Kailer Yamamoto and Liam O’Brien, who was in the lineup after 18 games as a healthy scratch, also scored for the Mammoth, who won their fourth straight road game.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she's expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed.
    Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • From the near-panoramic window of our room at the Spindrift, we were greeted each morning by sea otters floating on their backs in the kelp beds, pods of dolphins arcing through the swell and the occasional seal hauled out on a nearby promontory.
    Alexandra Genova, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That's all well and good, and that's a huge part of the learning process.
    Bryant Reed, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The prescriptions program is expected to serve about 6,500 children and families in northwest Milwaukee at nearly 13,000 annual well-child visits.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
  • After Giants shortstop Willy Adames' throw on Semien's infield single pulled first baseman Jerar Encarnacion off the bag, third baseman Chapman made a throwing error that allowed one run to score.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Not to mention the robust grassroots hockey system for girls hockey in the area, with programs such as Little Caesars and Honey Baked already represented in the league by Boston Fleet captain Megan Keller, and top prospect Kirsten Simms.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The other is driven from the top, where production-grade use cases demand robust data infrastructure, engineering rigor, and governance.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In addition to being concerned about targeting, is there a sense from other people in the country that some Shias had brought this on themselves by supporting Hezbollah, and that Hezbollah dragged this country into the war?
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The paraeducator said Vaughn-Marcella allegedly grabbed the boy’s feet and dragged him 10 to 12 feet out of the classroom, according to the affidavit.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • An entirely new rig was towed from an Oakland shipyard and installed just to the east of the platform.
    Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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