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healthy

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adjective

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a healthy diet
a nutritious diet
a balanced diet
a beneficial diet
a proper diet
a good diet
a healthy economy
a strong economy
a stable economy
a balanced economy
a sturdy economy
a sustainable economy
healthy life
active life
happy life
a healthy environment
a sustainable environment
a positive environment
a helpful environment
a safe environment
a beneficial environment

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
Adjective
Implementing healthy habits slowly works better than making big, sweeping changes all at once. Caroline Tien, SELF, 26 June 2025 Though online diets are often filled with rigid rules and exclusions, the healthiest way to eat takes into account your mental and emotional health as well, experts previously told USA TODAY. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 26 June 2025 Curcumin also supports the healthy flexibility and function of your blood vessels. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 26 June 2025 Some of the presentation seemed to directly challenge the recent decision by Kennedy and the Trump administration to remove the recommendation to vaccinate healthy children and pregnant women. Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthiness
Noun
  • The British Royal family health issues have been a major discussion point for what feels like the last year or so.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 28 June 2025
  • Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • That looks like a pretty good bet to me, going forward.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
  • What Aggarwal does best is to blend traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern designs, and this collection was no different — with his modern reinterpretations of vintage Banarasi textiles.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Immigrants make substantial contributions to the U.S. economy while also helping raise the living standards in developing economies.
    Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025
  • Lory has 28 miles of trails, several with substantial climbs similar to Arthur’s Rock in ravines that have been remarkably green and lush this spring.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Leaders who invest in the holistic health of their workforce can foster resilience, drive performance and cultivate a thriving organizational culture.
    Loubna Noureddin, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • What makes this destination particularly exciting to visit is the chance to explore its thriving arts scene.
    Essence, Essence, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Reiten’s return to full fitness before the end of the domestic season is a huge plus for Norway.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Here’s what experts had to say about the new study, plus how to incorporate these three exercises into your fitness routine for the maximum brain boost.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Desktop Specialist is a fast entry point; the Data Analyst certification builds on it with more robust tools for visual analytics.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The original film was very light in the production sound (i.e., foley effects); this is pretty robust.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • At the same time, approximately 80% of chronic disease and premature death could be prevented by not smoking, being physically active, and adhering to a healthful dietary pattern.
    Gil Press, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The home created for the program was filled with a gym, healthful food and other healthful amenities.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Healthiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthiness. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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