hello

noun

hə-ˈlō How to pronounce hello (audio)
Definition of hellonext
as in salute
an expression of goodwill upon meeting we said our hellos and got right down to business

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hello Yuzu and mandarin give it a charming hello, while ginger and pink pepper cut through its powdery elements and prevent polarization. — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 25 June 2026 Princess Kate said something sweet about her spouse while speaking to singer Ronan Keating and his wife Storm, who asked about William and sent their hellos. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Among the things rushing to the front of his mind could have been the introductory hellos and final goodbyes, the moments of hope followed only by pain-staking losses, the closing chapters of another regime gone by. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 26 May 2026 Tim Cook, who will pass Apple’s CEO baton to John Ternus September 1, brought the executive along to the company’s earnings call today to say a quick hello. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hello
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hello
  1. salute
  2. salutation
  3. greeting
  4. welcome
Noun
  • Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut.
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Offering the Black Panther salute in tribute to the six Black prisoners found dead at Attica Prison, during the funeral held in Brooklyn.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of salute
Noun
  • The salutation will kick off a three-day visit that's expected to be saturated with pomp, even by White House standards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The salutation kicks off a three-day visit that’s expected to be saturated with pomp, even by White House standards.
    — Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of salutation
Noun
  • Throughout dinner, we’re interrupted by patrons ranging from Bessent—who stops by and offers a warm greeting—to a number of people who arrive in succession and appear to be gushing fans of the anchor, though Baier recognizes all of them by name.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Owner Alejandro Godinez moves between orders and greetings, stopping to hug regulars and call customers by name.
    — Daniela Cintron - For the AJC, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of greeting
Noun
  • In that raucous public square known as Reddit, anti-Trumpers are planning protests, evidence that Trump should not expect an overwhelmingly enthusiastic welcome in the traditionally red Sunflower State.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
  • An alternative welcome offer for those in MI, NJ, PA, and WV is to bet $10 and earn $150 in bonus bets.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of welcome

Browse Nearby Words

hellishness
hello
hellos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hello.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hello. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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