healthy

adjective

ˈhel-thē How to pronounce healthy (audio)
Definition of healthynext
1
as in well
enjoying health and vigor always a hard worker, Grandma has remained healthy into her 80s

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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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4
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

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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 healthy Beyond the athletic competition, the Enhanced Games are making the grand case that safe use of PEDs at their events can trickle down to the general public, allowing people to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. —Sean Gregory, Time, 21 May 2025 Gummed up Emulsifiers can be found in foods marketed as natural or healthy as well as ones that look artificial. —David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025 This will enable you to see if the organization is financially healthy. —Maayan Aviv, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 The Times spoke with Kessler about healthy weight loss strategies for the long-term, guidelines for using GLP-1s safely, the body positivity movement and improving lifespan. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthy
  1. well
  2. good
  3. substantial
  4. thriving
  5. robust
  6. healthful
  7. sizable
  8. prosperous
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
Definition of well
Adjective
  • The film topped Entertainment Weekly's 2022 list of Tom Cruise-starring projects ranked by grade, and came in just behind Born on the Fourth of July as containing Cruise's all-time best screen performance.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 May 2025
  • Instead, eating and preparing them may simply entail extra care and adherence to best food safety practices.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Since 2015, when Cook County chose Tyler in part to automate property tax bills and records, issues with Tyler’s work have resulted in substantial delays and much higher costs to taxpayers than originally conceived, as the Tribune and Injustice Watch reported in April in a thorough investigation.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Celanese shares have suffered a nearly 24% decline this year as the price of methanol — a substantial input cost in acetic acid prices — has been spiking for about 18 months due to global supply shortages.
    — Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Definition of substantial
Adjective
  • In a thriving and competitive women's division, the consistent presence of a talent like Bliss would undoubtedly provide a substantial boost, injecting another layer of depth, star power, and compelling storylines into the roster.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Economic Growth: Promoting policies that attract businesses, support local entrepreneurship, and ensure access to opportunities for all residents, contributing to a thriving and sustainable Fort Worth economy.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • However, the state’s schools have also made their behavioral threat assessment teams more robust in recent years.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025
  • Making this provision permanent provides the predictability employers need to build robust, long-term education benefits, and gives employees a meaningful path toward financial stability.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Definition of robust
Adjective
  • Unlike sitting, sleep promotes healthful, restorative processes that help regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and support heart function, says Diaz.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 19 May 2025
  • However, many people find that gradual weight loss is achievable with a balanced approach—healthful eating, regular exercise, and sometimes medication.
    — Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, Health, 14 Dec. 2024
Definition of healthful
Adjective
  • Nikola Jokic is the biggest reason why the Nuggets are on the brink of a sizable upset.
    — Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
  • The hosting country would naturally want a sizable say in how the AGI is going to be used.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • But that village has much to gain and, people often forget, Chicago needs its suburban feeders to be economically prosperous so the residents there can spend money in the city.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • More than 1,000 people were forced out of the prosperous Black community known as Oscarville by white individuals from Forsyth County, Teen Vogue reported.
    — Staff Author, People.com, 17 May 2025
Definition of prosperous

Browse Nearby Words

health spas
healthy
heap
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Cite this Entry

“Healthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthy. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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