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 next

as in health

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The Royals gave left-handed starting pitcher Cole Ragans a healthy lead. —

Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026 There’s every reason to try to keep them around longer, especially if the extra years are healthy ones. —

Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthiness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthiness

Noun

Thousands of motorcyclists donning their most dapper attire will take to the streets around the world Sunday, May 17, to benefit men’s health issues — including here in Naperville.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Cassidy, who cast a crucial vote for Kennedy to become health secretary, has opposed many of his vaccine policy changes, such as an update to the CDC website suggesting that there could be a link between vaccines and autism.

— Brennan Leach, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

Definition of health

Browse Nearby Words

healthily

healthiness

health spa

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Healthiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthiness. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of healthiness

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dudgeon

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

10 Words for Food with Unfortunate-Sounding Names

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Longest Long Words List

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Games & Quizzes