Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective healthful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of healthful are salubrious, salutary, and wholesome. While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

When might salubrious be a better fit than healthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthful, salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.

cool and salubrious weather

When can salutary be used instead of healthful?

The words salutary and healthful can be used in similar contexts, but salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

When is wholesome a more appropriate choice than healthful?

The synonyms wholesome and healthful are sometimes interchangeable, but wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.

wholesome foods
the movie is wholesome family entertainment

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 healthful At the same time, approximately 80% of chronic disease and premature death could be prevented by not smoking, being physically active, and adhering to a healthful dietary pattern. Gil Press, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 The home created for the program was filled with a gym, healthful food and other healthful amenities. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025 In that case, a state court ruled that Montana had violated young residents’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by promoting fossil fuel development. Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 For example, a suit in Montana targeted the state for failing to provide its residents with a healthful environment. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
Adjective
  • Experts have said for some time that not all fats are bad—in fact, some are healthy and key to a balanced diet that can contribute to better weight management.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Inside an office, a doctor told Ross that the top of his ligament was healthy and strong.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Chef-owner Miguel Angel Jimenez is well worth consulting for the night’s specials and a wine from the impressively deep good list.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • But that wasn’t enough for a gambler who watched him best Paul Skenes.
    Maria Torres, New York Times, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthful. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthful

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