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 Allergy-Free Snacks To Pack for School Here are 15 allergy-free snacks that are healthful and free from the most common food allergens: Fresh fruit: Fresh fruit, like apples, clementines, and pears, is a safe snack for your child to bring to school. Jillian Kubala, Health, 11 Apr. 2025 Unlike sitting, sleep promotes healthful, restorative processes that help regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and support heart function, says Diaz. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 19 May 2025 However, many people find that gradual weight loss is achievable with a balanced approach—healthful eating, regular exercise, and sometimes medication. Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 14 Dec. 2024 Along with a clean and healthful environment, the Montana Constitution also grants rights to pursuing life’s basic necessities, protecting liberties and protecting property. ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
Adjective
  • Primarily, passenger revenue grew a healthy 5.4% to £2.16 billion, as travel demand remained robust and was able to meet the higher capacity introduced.
    John Choong, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Many everyday foods in Japan are super healthy, and the cuisine is based on natural, nutritious ingredients.
    Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • By constantly rethinking how the world functions and how best to protect the natural environment, Lombard Odier IM has positioned itself as a guide for achieving long-term, sustainable growth.
    Judith Magyar, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Within that world, the film will follow other characters, including a younger player struggling to juggle soccer and her day job, and Shirley’s rival, the daughter of a famous player trying her best to reconcile her feelings for a teammate.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthful. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthful

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