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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 healthy Here’s what else to know about developing a healthy water habit. Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 Having a Poor Diet and Sedentary Lifestyle Eating a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fatty acids is important for eye health. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025 Pears are rich in fiber and healthy plant compounds that support digestion, promote a healthy gut, and help prevent constipation. Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Sep. 2025 Albin voiced frustration on this matter during the non-conference slate, stating that the 49ers didn’t have enough healthy offensive linemen to have two units in practice. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthy
Adjective
  • What is most appealing about YoungBoy is that his music, quite frankly, is the sound of a man who is very much not well.
    Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Beneath the surface, though, all is not well.
    Ian King, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kerzka and the others did their best to comfort them, to bandage small wounds; the most critically injured were already at the hospital.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • But in one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt so far, Zubimendi quickly went about making a difference.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sportsnet, owned by Canadian media conglomerate Rogers Communications, is the Canadian rights-holder for all Blue Jays games, as well as being the Canadian rights-holder for a substantial package of MLB regular-season games and the entire postseason.
    Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Anyone who requires dialysis is covered by Medicare at substantial cost to taxpayers, Norton says.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The characters of Luis and Maria gave me a glimpse of what two happy, thriving Latinos looked like living in a neighborhood where kindness was always in high supply.
    Priscilla Blossom, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The two biggest gainers in this year’s NHL rankings are in the southeast, as the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers have converted dominant on-ice results into thriving businesses.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Vanderbilt hospital is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center within 150 miles, the top designation verified by the American College of Surgeons for around-the-clock specialists, a high volume of trauma cases, robust research and quality patient care.
    Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Griffin and Secretary of State Cole Jester stressed at Thursday's news conference that incidents of voter fraud are rare and that the state's election laws are some of the most robust in the country.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What began with cooking for a few friends quickly grew into a mission to help busy families and professionals enjoy nourishing meals without compromise, sparking a movement to make healthful eating easier and more meaningful across Arizona.
    Wyles Daniel, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In this healthful salad, Brussels sprouts are combined with apples, pears, pomegranate seeds, shallots and Dijon-vinegar dressing.
    Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet those football sackings ate up 28 per cent of their wage bill savings, and came at a time when the club is still incurring the costs of its sizeable downsizing.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Team owners are expecting a sizable bump on the next deal, which would kick in after the 2027-28 season.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the 1820s, Gregor MacGregor announced the discovery of Poyais, a lush and prosperous paradise in Central America.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Nonetheless, the whole area was prosperous and urban.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthy. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthy

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