Synonyms of healthful

healthful

adjective

ˈhelth-fəl 

as in healthy

beneficial to the health of body or mind

one of the most healthful forms of exercise is a brisk walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• healthy
• good
• medicinal
• wholesome
• nutritional
• salubrious
• restorative
• salutary
• tonic
• refreshing
• sanative
• useful
• remedial
• nutritious
• curative
• corrective
• salutiferous
• advantageous
• sanitary
• rehabilitative
• clean
• hygienic
• nourishing
• rejuvenating
• recuperative
• alleviative
• antiseptic
• aseptic
• nontoxic
• nonpoisonous
• rejuvenescent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harmful
• unhealthy
• unwholesome
• noxious
• injurious
• deleterious
• damaging
• toxic
• unhealthful
• pernicious
• infectious
• poisonous
• insalubrious
• sickening
• unsanitary
• insanitary
• unhygienic

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

Recent Examples of healthful

Brown emphasizes that his dishes are made with entirely healthful ingredients. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Or what if a nurse advised a patient to stop exercising or sleeping regularly, or eating healthful meals, or taking prescribed medications? —Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026

Terranova, who leads a healthful lifestyle, was actually in acute heart failure. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026

There are ways to ease the adjustment, including getting more sunshine to help reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. —Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Video

Healthy vs. Healthful

Why both words are equally good for you.