well 1 of 4

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

well

2 of 4

interjection

well

3 of 4

noun

1
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

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
Risks Of Using Nonstick Pans Under The Broiler Most nonstick pans have a PTFE (Teflon) coating, which performs best under low to medium heat. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025 The new technology should also be able to scale well to larger sizes without losing much efficiency. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Sep. 2025
Interjection
And Sacks, a PayPal Mafia member and veteran Silicon Valley investor, is just the sort of titan of industry this town routinely devours and humiliates — from Rex Tillerson to, well, Elon Musk. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The irony is that without vivid color, many snacks and cereals look faded and, well, obviously processed. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Without the well or ill-intentioned guide of theological doctrine, everything stands poised to become a metaphor. Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025 When the oil begins to dry up, wells are supposed to be plugged to prevent toxic, climate-altering chemicals from escaping. September 7, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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 Confidence: Medium-High A look ahead Most showers are well to our north and south on Saturday, but clouds should still be plentiful. David Streit, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for well
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well
Adverb
  • The latter is a fine-dining experience named after the resort’s ethos—Celebrate Happiness, Explain Sadness.
    Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Matthew Stafford’s back held up fine.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Hiller’s win, to put it generously, was considered to be a long shot.
    Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Take the generously sized central area, for example.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Pascoal performed masterfully on keyboards, saxophones, bass clarinet, accordion and an array of other instruments.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025
  • These numbers may seem small, but their effect is profound, especially when wielded by longtime Aston design chief Marek Reichman and his team, who have masterfully created a timeless brand language that continues to evolve and feel au courant while never capitulating to trends.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Self-compassion was gauged by how kindly people treat themselves in difficult moments.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
  • While the initial criticism could’ve been framed more kindly, turning the tables is hardly an effective way to rectify the situation.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Parker supplies a ready solution that nicely dovetails with Kennedy’s hostility toward vaccines, and pharmaceutical interventions against disease in general.
    Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Blunt could emerge as a strong supporting actress contender, in a category that hasn’t presented a standout frontrunner yet, and could pair nicely with Johnson’s big run.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Ortega kept her glam perfectly moody, with a low, messy bun, a deep plum lip, and whisper thin eyebrows.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Prettygarden One-Shoulder Formal Maxi Dress If you’re headed to a wedding this fall, don’t miss this dress that’s perfectly compact-chic—and currently 45% off.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • But the conversation didn’t end smoothly, leaving tension in the air.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This convenience explains why, if wallets can't integrate RWAs smoothly, tokenization will remain a niche pursuit.
    Jamie Elkaleh, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That's part of the 'framework' agreement for TikTok, which will also include new and existing investors in its Chinese parent company ByteDance, sources told CNBC's David Faber.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • As demand for electricity surged to power more electric devices in homes and Big Tech's boom in data centers, renewable energy has been the go-to source for the cheapest, fastest way to generate more juice.
    Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on well

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!