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

There’s an emotional reward in seeing a donkey healthy and either finding a new home or living with others at the sanctuary. — Brayden Garcia october 28, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026 Nutrition Comparison Pumpkin seeds and walnuts are both sources of blood sugar-lowering nutrients, like protein, fiber, minerals, healthy fats, and antioxidants. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthiness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthiness

Noun

The health benefits it is meant to finance aren’t one-time expenses, after all.

— Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Those effects compound quickly in health systems already under strain.

— Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of health

Noun

There is no wellness experience too niche for the center which offers a hair salon, nail bar, yoga studio, fitness room and Pilates classes with the hip boutique studio The Beat, opening onto a panoramic terrace.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
The Nevada Independent reports that Lombardo’s campaign has used those issues to question Ford’s fitness, while Ford says the clemency matter followed procedure and disputes the criticism.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of fitness

Noun

Mayo Clinic Health System’s holiday wellness guidance recommends planning ahead and setting limits before the stress piles up.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
What started as a wellness blog that hosted conversations around clean beauty alternatives has turned into a viral business.

— Charlotte Hu, Time, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of wellness

Noun

The salty bacon and fluffy eggs formed that classic breakfast flavor, while the potatoes added a satisfying heartiness without weighing the taco down.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
The addition of pan-friend hominy adds a nutty heartiness that is unexpected and so delicious!

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of heartiness

Noun

The allegations could call into question the soundness of criminal cases based on the involved officers’ arrests.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
The court is confident in the soundness of the proceedings and the integrity of the judges.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of soundness

Noun

That’s why researchers are increasingly focusing not just on accuracy in ideal conditions, but on robustness, generalization and real-world readiness.

— Bo Wang, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
The aim is to ensure the robustness of red-team scrutiny and get the best results.

— Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of robustness

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health spa

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“Healthiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthiness. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of healthiness

noun

adjective

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