hale 1 of 2

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

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
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 Haley, among others, haled the fact that budget cutting efforts took some $285 million, or roughly 5 percent, out of the U.N.’s budget last December. George Russell, Fox News, 16 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for hale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hale
Adjective
  • Johnson praised the president’s campaign advising Salvadorans on how to stay healthy during COVID-19.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Beverage makers are grappling with consumers’ desires for healthier fare, and sales of beer and soda have ebbed.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Marc Márquez finally hauled himself back to the pinnacle of MotoGP in Japan last weekend, capping one of sport’s most arduous comeback stories with an almost flawless title charge.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Soldiers hauled them onto the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, along with their K Ration kits, which contained treats like coffee, cigarettes, and something closer to commercial chocolate—also made by Hershey, naturally.
    Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What is most appealing about YoungBoy is that his music, quite frankly, is the sound of a man who is very much not well.
    Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Beneath the surface, though, all is not well.
    Ian King, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Pearsall appeared to have reaggravated his knee injury that was plaguing him all week, and he was pulled from the game.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Russia launched its first major wave of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine in nearly a month, pounding sites across the country on Sunday and leaving Kyiv hardest hit as rescue workers scrambled to pull people from the rubble.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Vanderbilt hospital is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center within 150 miles, the top designation verified by the American College of Surgeons for around-the-clock specialists, a high volume of trauma cases, robust research and quality patient care.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Griffin and Secretary of State Cole Jester stressed at Thursday's news conference that incidents of voter fraud are rare and that the state's election laws are some of the most robust in the country.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With marker John McGinn behind him, the midfielder attempted to drag the ball back and evade the challenge.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • If the shutdown drags on for more than a few days, a report on inflation scheduled for mid-October could also be delayed.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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