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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

This year, thanks to a healthy budget allocation from the state, the CSU Board of Trustees decided to advance some capital projects. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Its success — the noise of it and people talking about it and the lovely, healthy viewing figures — was a real surprise, that material like this can cut through in a world of thrillers and zombies and ghosts and detectives. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthiness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthiness

Noun

The nonprofit is focused on improving health for moms and their babies.

— Jada Robison, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
The defense got some meaningful improvements in the offseason (notably by uncharacteristically trading for Dexter Lawrence), but their season will once again come down to Joe Burrow’s health.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of health

Noun

Gabriele Polcari, a Formula Medicine physiotherapist working with Lucchini, stated that cooling equipment is merely a last line of defense, with fitness preparation being the primary focus.

— Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
While some via ferratas cater to expert rock climbers looking for tough challenges, Tahoe’s encourages visitors of all ages and fitness levels to try it out and test their abilities.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fitness

Noun

Emma’s resistance to the bland wholesomeness of recovery spaces speaks to a familiar cultural trope across media, in films and television shows; that sobriety is where flamboyance goes to die.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
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

Definition of wholesomeness

Noun

The court is confident in the soundness of the proceedings and the integrity of the judges.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
This project might strike you as dystopian and disturbing, or exciting and encouraging – and its ethical soundness comes down to a few key factors, several experts told CNN.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of soundness

Noun

Trump claimed the payments would be possible because of the economy's strength, yet consumer sentiment is weak as gasoline prices are increasing because of the war with Iran and wages are struggling to keep pace with inflation.

— BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Cunha’s strength has been in replicating some of the things that helped Murillo build his reputation in England.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of strength

Noun

However, Onana, who was Villa’s club record signing in a £50million deal from Everton, has continued to struggle with his robustness.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The company has reported that the topological gap has been increased and the robustness has been enhanced as a result of modifications to the material stack.

— Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of robustness

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

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Synonyms of healthiness

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adjective

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