HEALTHY Synonyms: 239 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

healthy

adjective

ˈhel-thē

Definition of healthy next

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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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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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

holistic life

balanced life

energetic 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

Examples of healthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Did the emergence of senior RB Anthony Morrow and return of a healthy Tory Horton unlock a fully operational CSU offense? —

Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024 These evaluations often lead to sentences that include mental health care, trauma counseling or substance abuse treatment — measures that can reduce recidivism and create healthier communities. —

Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024 Framing murder as a path to self-empowerment also asks audiences to consider if something morally wrong can still lead to something, if not right, then healthy. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2024 The importance of sincere and open communication in maintaining healthy relationships is highlighted in a 2021 study from the Journal for Ethics in Social Studies. —

Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for healthy

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'healthy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.