well 1 of 4

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well

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interjection

well

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noun

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as in pool
a small often deep body of water the spot where the spring bubbles up to the surface and forms a deep well

Synonyms & Similar Words

well

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word well distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of well are hale, healthy, robust, sound, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could hale be used to replace well?

While the synonyms hale and well are close in meaning, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

Where would healthy be a reasonable alternative to well?

Although the words healthy and well have much in common, healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

In what contexts can robust take the place of well?

The words robust and well are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is it sensible to use sound instead of well?

In some situations, the words sound and well are roughly equivalent. However, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When would wholesome be a good substitute for well?

While in some cases nearly identical to well, 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 well
Adverb
The church is now a regular part of American religious life, perhaps best exemplified by Romney’s rise to the cusp of the presidency over a decade ago. Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 The team also found that such cells worked best when manufactured at 842°F (450 °C), which prevented gold atoms from diffusing (a common issue that harms performance). Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Interjection
And well, Kate Middleton is a big part of Prince William’s life. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025 Dak Prescott carried this team This offense has had to play at an elite level to get a win and a tie this season with a supporting defense that, well, doesn’t support. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
Twenty years later, after the Taliban again seized control following the chaotic withdrawal of Western forces in 2021, many wondered how long the internet, and its vast well of vice, would be allowed to remain. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025 The Town of Campbell, outside of La Crosse, also discovered widespread PFAS contamination of private wells, likely stemming from the use of firefighting foam at the La Crosse Regional Airport, which inhabits a portion of the small island in between the Black and Mississippi Rivers. Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back. Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024 In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Wilson’s cousin and bandmate Love, 83, assured fans that all is well, and that the latest legal decisions have not affected their bond. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for well
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well
Adverb
  • Though the album’s genres are superficially diverse—you’ll hear flashes of grunge, trap, and, yes, reggae—its arrangements could work fine as royalty-free background music for content creators.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The league constitution grants Goodell the authority to fine, suspend or even terminate the contract of a coach for conduct detrimental to the league.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Take the generously sized central area, for example.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But ending the night in your generously sized room, complete with stunning water and city views, high-design furniture and plush carpeting, is just as indulgent.
    Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • There are multiple styles too, like those in which the handles swapped leather for shiny metals, adding a contemporary twist and masterfully pairing with the models’ midi skirts, playful outerwear clad in primary colors, and preppy tailoring.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The collector sought letters, manuscripts and research by Turner's predecessors, contemporaries, champions and even an art student who could masterfully copy his pieces.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • In other words, Steve is a lot to play, and the Oscar-winner throws himself into every forlorn expression, every kindly mentoring session, every manic bit of rushing to and fro as chaos reigns around him, every stumbling step toward self-medicating into oblivion.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
  • To put it kindly, Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette has struggled this season.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Even in stormy weather, this stain-resistant set still holds up nicely.
    Michelle Lau, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In traditional South Floridian fashion, all the units have a nicely sized porch as well, perfect for watching the sunset.
    Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Daria stared at the arrangement of perfectly circular reddish bruises on the woman’s back, exposed by her halter top.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • So, spending your free time on a massive project for your crush seems perfectly reasonable.
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Gameplay is rendered smoothly thanks to a rapid 240Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
  • From bin handling and fastening to tool changeouts, the system is adaptable and continuously learns from new tasks, integrating smoothly into existing workflows without the need for cages or retrofits.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some workers, whose programs have alternative funding sources, continue to be paid on time.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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