HEALTHINESSES Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'healthy' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of healthy are hale , robust , sound , well , and wholesome . While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease. // a healthy family

Q: Where would 'hale' be a reasonable alternative to 'healthy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthy , hale applies particularly to robustness in old age. // still hale at the age of eighty

Q: When is 'robust' a more appropriate choice than 'healthy'?

While the synonyms robust and healthy are close in meaning, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly. // a lively, robust little boy

Q: When might 'sound' be a better fit than 'healthy'?

Although the words sound and healthy have much in common, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. // a sound heart

Q: When would 'well' be a good substitute for 'healthy'?

The words well and healthy can be used in similar contexts, but well implies merely freedom from disease or illness. // she has never been a well person

Q: In what contexts can 'wholesome' take the place of 'healthy'?

The meanings of wholesome and healthy largely overlap; however, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance. // a face with a wholesome glow

healthiness 1 of 2

noun

Definition of healthiness

as in health

the condition of being sound in body healthy teeth are an indication of a horse's overall healthiness

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healthy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈhel-thē

as in well

enjoying health and vigor always a hard worker, Grandma has remained healthy into her 80s

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as in good

beneficial to the health of body or mind the air in here isn't healthy ads that promote healthy eating habits

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as in substantial

sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention a healthy turnout of volunteers to plant trees on Arbor Day

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as in thriving

marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically coming out of a prolonged recession, the restaurant business seemed to be healthy again

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word healthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of healthy are hale, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

Where would hale be a reasonable alternative to healthy?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthy, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When is robust a more appropriate choice than healthy?

While the synonyms robust and healthy are close in meaning, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When might sound be a better fit than healthy?

Although the words sound and healthy have much in common, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When would well be a good substitute for healthy?

The words well and healthy can be used in similar contexts, but well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

In what contexts can wholesome take the place of healthy?

The meanings of wholesome and healthy largely overlap; however, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

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 healthiness

Noun

Unfortunately, Americans have proved themselves to be suckers for packaging that conveys a food’s healthiness, Bragg said. — Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025

Adjective

For those individuals, most with healthy immune systems will recover without treatment. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 8 July 2026 When healthy, Tomas Nosek did his part on the penalty kill the past two years as well. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthiness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthiness

Noun

With more than 2,000 excess deaths recorded over six days at the peak of the June heat, according to health authorities, France’s cultural resistance to AC has started to soften.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
An emphasis on wellness means not only pampering spa treatments but advanced health tech, movement, and meditation sessions over an entire floor.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of health

Noun

Millions of people around the world wear smart rings and fitness trackers to keep tabs on their sleep, workouts, heart rate and even body temperature, all in the name of better understanding their health.

— Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Then, Djokovic had the skills to blow his opponents away, but could also grind them down if needed, knowing that his superior fitness and durability would more than likely win out.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of fitness

Noun

For a brand-new wellness experience this summer, athletic apparel brand Alo has made its French Riviera debut with its first-ever French boutique, open now at 45 Rue Gambetta.

— Karli Poliziani, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026
The wellness unit recently introduced an internal video series starring Jackson teaching meal-prep and providing practical, healthy recipes.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of wellness

Noun

But after seven episodes wearing down the viewer with a bleak perspective, in the season finale, Euphoria pulls itself out of its own somber patterns to reach for grace and mercy in Christian symbolism, American wholesomeness, and the concept of family.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026
The growing apathy toward big-screen entertainment was also owed to the patina of all-American wholesomeness that studios imposed on their stables of stars, and the nothing-to-see-here style of movie journalism was wearing thin.

— Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026

Definition of wholesomeness

Noun

Opinions from the Board of Immigration Appeals and two other federal courts of appeals reflect the soundness of DHS's legal position.

— Anna Alejo, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Services will range from individual wellness and sick-patient examinations to routine herd healthcare, breeding soundness exams, pregnancy examinations, on-farm consultations, lameness evaluations and certificates of veterinary inspection, A-State said.

— arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 21 June 2026

Definition of soundness

Noun

But the strength of the rotation also depends on the conflict in the Middle East remaining contained.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
But its ability to tolerate discomfort is its strength, particularly through its most original figure—Dahl’s friend and publisher Tom Maschler, deftly portrayed by Elliot Levey.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

Definition of strength

Noun

As part of vendor governance, vendors need to move from periodic vulnerability assessment to continuous monitoring of cybersecurity robustness and proactively declare the pen test findings of an independent auditor.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Improving robustness to these real-world environmental effects remains an important area for future development.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 June 2026

Definition of robustness

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“Healthiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthiness. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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