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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 Sara Kuburic, a mental health professional known online as the millennial therapist, broke down the ins and outs of healthy (and unhealthy) soft-launching in a previous column for USA TODAY. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 From farmers and engineers to food safety specialists and packaging workers, Taylor Farms employs thousands who share a passion for producing fresh, healthy food. William Jones, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding sugar, eliminating tobacco, and curbing or skipping alcoholic beverages altogether, play a role in reducing early breast cancer recurrence. Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 27 Oct. 2025 These ingredients can work together to soothe discomfort and encourage a healthy digestive system. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthy
Adjective
  • Its jet-drive propulsion system, when deployed, creates thrust by accelerating well fluids via an impeller unit, which moves the probe through the wellbore.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Across the country—and especially in the South—plans are well in the works for Thanksgiving meals that will both satisfy and delight guests.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Non-perishable items or foods that last a long time in the fridge can be good options.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The baby, who initially made good progress after the surgery, died 20 days later.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If Pauli’s theory of neutrinos were correct, then each of these sets of reactions, both fission and fusion, would emit neutrinos each with a substantial amount of energy (in the ~MeV, or mega-electron-volt, range) to them.
    Big Think, Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
  • And few will qualify for the New Jersey family’s tutoring job, as the listing details some substantial requirements.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Back then, the area was relatively thriving, but like much of Appalachia, Jackson County has struggled to adapt to larger economic forces over the past three decades.
    David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This residency went on to mirror what 30 was about - lost and broken to healed and thriving!
    Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While Tennessee’s robust food bank network provides support, the SNAP program covers almost 10 times the number of meals than food banks are able to provide.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
  • While official figures show America's economy growing at a robust pace, a number of states are currently teetering on the edge of an economic downturn, according to Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Every child in our public school district needs regular access to healthful food regardless of their family’s income level.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The decision will have sizable implications for India’s energy sector, with Russia making up about 34 percent of crude oil imports.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Air Leaks at the Bottom of a Door For a sizeable gap and a heavy draft, try a door sweep.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The lace in her dress symbolized both wealth and purity, an appealing combination for brides who hoped for prosperous unions.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tokyo and New Delhi are deepening their multi-layered cooperation as part of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, referring to bilateral ties that seek a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and coercion-free Indo-Pacific.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthy

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