well 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of wellnext
1
as in fine
in a satisfactory way our current system for dividing household chores works well, so let's keep it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in generously
in a generous manner a warm and gracious host who always treats guests well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner she plays the piano very well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in kindly
with good reason or courtesy we cannot well get out of going to your cousin's wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in nicely
in a pleasing way the day went well, despite the rough beginning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in perfectly
to a full extent or degree we are well aware that this home renovation is going to be costly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in smoothly
without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable well, that is odd!

Synonyms & Similar Words

well

3 of 4

noun

ˈwel How to pronounce well (audio)
1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided his quirkily dysfunctional family proved to be a bottomless well of inspiration for the novelist

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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

4 of 4

adjective

as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor my mother is quite well, thank you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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
Could any of your novels be adapted, or do some work better for the big screen than others? —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026 What is unearthed is not just the tension between father and daughter, but also between Nora and her sister, Agnes (best supporting actress nominee Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas). —David Morgan, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Interjection
The breadth of topics Jones steered to Kash Patel was as wide as, well, Patel’s field of vision. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026 The Giants are apparently riding with Ryan Walker as the closer, because, well, who else in this ‘pen would be the closer? —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Oil and gas wells don’t operate like light switches. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 Newsom tried to ease the transition, and in doing so was criticized by environmentalists, for signing legislation authorizing some 2,000 new well permits in Kern County through 2036. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Over the weekend, the president fanned the flames of the trade war by threatening China with 100 percent tariffs over its imposition of export controls, only to insist, on Monday, that all was well with the bilateral trade relationship. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025 What is most appealing about YoungBoy is that his music, quite frankly, is the sound of a man who is very much not well. —Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for well
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well
  1. fine
  2. generously
  3. masterfully
  4. kindly
  5. nicely
  6. perfectly
  7. smoothly
  8. source
Adverb
  • The cheese, though, is white Prairie Breeze, shaved fine and mounded like a snowdrift atop the bowl.
    — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The dress code stays casual (jeans and sneakers work fine).
    — Taylor Haught, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of fine
Adverb
  • What Muller is flagging, politely, almost generously, is that policy unpredictability is now doing more damage than hardship.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The generously sized living areas have wood flooring.
    — Lesa Stuart, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of generously
Adverb
  • All of it proved how masterfully the chefs have managed to combine the flavors of distinct world cultures.
    — Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • As the more mercurial of the two, Culkin masterfully navigates an excellent character arc, taking an outspoken nuisance and giving him thoughtful nuance on a Holocaust tour.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adverb
  • With connected Venus stepping into your 7th House of Companions, you’re being encouraged to ask kindly and listen closely.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • For years now, friends and family have kindly emailed or texted me diary-in-the-news items and shared their personal diary stories, which enriched my book.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of kindly
Adverb
  • So disguised as a beggar, Odysseus shows up at his palace, and he is not treated very nicely by the suitors who have camped out in his house.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • For Homer, the case is coming together nicely and straightforwardly.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of nicely
Adverb
  • The two layers of moist, flavorful cake pair perfectly with creamy cream cheese frosting.
    — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The classic polka dots and square neckline are perfectly on-trend for this season, while the lightweight rayon fabric folds up easily for convenient suitcase storage.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Adverb
  • This alignment allows energy to flow more smoothly through the material, significantly increasing thermal conductivity.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Then the graceful roll of the ball with his studs smoothly took him past another two to shoot at goal.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of smoothly
Noun
  • Although the heat has everyone dealing with some degree of dampness, sweating is often a source of violent embarrassment for you.
    — Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The publication also seeks to become the community’s go-to source for reliable information on the rebuilding process and to provide specific advice for residents and businesses grappling with building permits and insurance claims.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of source

Phrases Containing well

Browse Nearby Words

welkins
well
well-adjusted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on well

Nglish: Translation of well for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tranche

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 13

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 13
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
book-magic-glow
Famous Novels, First Lines Quiz Can you identify these novels by their famous fir...
See All