as in welfare
the state of doing well especially in relation to one's happiness or success
the belief that somehow it is the nation's president who is responsible for the weal or woe of the people
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Recent Examples of weal
Some people develop pin-sized, raised bumps (weals) when sweating—this condition is called cholinergic urticaria.
—
Jennifer Sabour, Health, 10 May 2024
Today’s Rwanda is based on the deceptively simple premise that common work makes common weal.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Evince an old-fashioned interest in the public weal?
—Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2022
These and scores of other crimes against the public weal are carelessly grouped under this or that vague heading—libertarian prerogative, consumer sovereignty, anti-wokism, what have you—and enshrined as yet another instance of the way things have to be.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 30 Sep. 2021
Of course, the value (and advisability) of such a potent check depends on the quality of the state actors involved, and in the United States, agency officials are highly trained, relatively diverse, and demonstrably devoted to the public weal.
—Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
Jennifer Sabour, Health, 10 May 2024
Today’s Rwanda is based on the deceptively simple premise that common work makes common weal.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Evince an old-fashioned interest in the public weal?
—Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2022
These and scores of other crimes against the public weal are carelessly grouped under this or that vague heading—libertarian prerogative, consumer sovereignty, anti-wokism, what have you—and enshrined as yet another instance of the way things have to be.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 30 Sep. 2021
Of course, the value (and advisability) of such a potent check depends on the quality of the state actors involved, and in the United States, agency officials are highly trained, relatively diverse, and demonstrably devoted to the public weal.
—Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weal
Noun
-
In 2019, police responded once for a welfare check and again for a mental health call for a male.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In 2019, officers went to the home twice while their son Nick was living there — once for a call coded as a welfare check and once for a call classified as mental health–related.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That critique of American foreign policy – that US high-mindedness and democratic idealism conceal naked corporate interests – persisted through the Cold War and into the 21st Century.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Health care, housing, and education would be built to be affordable, driven by real results from the bottom up--not by party interests trickling down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Access to critical minerals, semiconductors, and essential goods is paramount for economic security.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The alternative way to get goods from ports in Russia or the manufacturing powerhouses of East Asia is to go south.—
Tucker Reals,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the United States’ economic competitiveness—not to mention the happiness of its citizenry—ranks below many countries that work much fewer hours, including Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands, and Norway.—
Joe O’Connor,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Studies have shown that WhatsApp users are more likely to express both happiness and sadness on the platform than on other, more public-facing apps, like X or Instagram.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After years of cardio dominating the fitness conversation, exercises that build strength are now widely recognized as crucial to health and well-being.—
Currie Engel,
Health,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Leaders who establish sustainable systems — covering time, health, finances, and values — create stability that drives professional results while preserving space for personal priorities and long-term well-being.—
Karen Hinds,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The average cost of a home health aide is around $6,000 a month.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The new doll is part of Mattel’s Fashionistas collection, which includes dolls with a diverse range of skin tones, hair textures, body types and health conditions, including type 1 diabetes, Down syndrome and blindness.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
My highest priority, now and always, is the well-being and success of our students, teachers, and the staff who support them.—
Ashley Paul,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This comes roughly a year after the success of Weaver’s unit during the 2025 season led to interviews with the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears for their head coach openings.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The piece is abstract, and combines — to break it down for the sake of easy discussion — the shape of a railroad trestle adorned with hummingbird feathers.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Where to Eat and Drink A popular dining option for visitors is Fushimi Sakagura Kouji, which is comprised of eight small restaurants designed like traditional yatai food stalls clustered around a central sake bar.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Weal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weal. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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