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 Helping people live positive, healthful lives in a sustainable way that also nurtures a love of the natural world is at the heart of a Connecticut market, according to its owner. Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2025 Inflammation begins to occur, which is not a healthful state. Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 22 July 2025 What’s not to love about a delicious and healthful version of chips and salsa? Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 5 July 2025 That includes a fitness routine — tennis and yoga are go-to pursuits — and other healthful habits. Nancy Kruh, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
Adjective
  • Even those with strong revenue or healthy margins fall apart during due diligence or fail to attract serious buyers.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Eating more magnesium-rich foods, like beans, can help keep cortisol at a healthy level.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Warmer times are best for training a puppy, as much more time can be spent outside.
    Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
  • His best figures of 4-19 came in a fiery spell against Worcestershire.
    Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthful. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthful

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