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 The light was believed to be the cure for tuberculosis, a miraculous ingredient to ensure healthful longevity, and later, what turned celluloid reels into movie magic. Sam Bloch august 8, Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025 But mucus serves many healthful roles, primarily as a medium for catching and removing harmful particles and pathogens from the body. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025 This preparation is simple, classic, and healthful, yes, but hardly exciting. Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2025 The following can make a healthful addition to your low-carb shopping list: Olive oil Coconut oil Avocado oil Butter Ghee Fats are especially important on the keto diet. Jillian Kubala, Health, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
Adjective
  • The final mix includes botanicals, minerals, and vitamins such as holy basil for stress response, curcumin to promote a healthy immune response, konjac root to address oil production, and probiotics to optimize the microbiome.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The Wizards have emphasized growth and long-term planning under a new front office regime, but keeping key players healthy has been a challenge.
    Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • After 10 tumultuous years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kadri delivered his best campaign with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, posting 89 points in the regular season and finishing by hoisting the Stanley Cup.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthful. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthful

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