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
That move, which enables the BfV to better monitor the group , has reignited attempts to impose a ban, despite the party claiming a significant 20.8% of the vote in February’s national election – the best performance by a far-right party in the country since World War II. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 July 2025 There’s no need to whip out the label maker because the set comes with premade labels for common laundry essentials and a few blank ones as well. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
Interjection
At worst — well, their antipathy toward John Herbst is well-known. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025 The rest are from elsewhere in Europe, mainly Germany — an array of mustards and pickled, well, everything. Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Noun
Industry observers said China is wise to go back to its well of popular martial arts classics out of Hong Kong, which have inspired U.S. action movies for decades. Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 But one of the strangest well wishes came not from a person, but a 1,400-foot-tall building. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 27 June 2025
Adjective
Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023 This was not the first time Burgess mentioned how well life with their blended family is going. Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 18 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for well
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well
Adverb
  • Deanna Raybourn’s sequel, which reads fine as a standalone, follows a senior quartet of female assassins who are called back into action to track down a mole within the elite assassin organization, the Museum.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Former model Henstridge acquits herself just fine in her debut role.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
Adverb
  • But brother, he’s picked a cruddy time (to put it kindly) for regression to kick in.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 July 2025
  • Mortgage lenders don’t look kindly on the self-employed.
    Rohan Banerjee, Time, 6 July 2025
Adverb
  • While Cutler’s hunting appears perfectly legal, he’s run into trouble in the past.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • Mountains rise suddenly and everywhere, reflected perfectly in the still fjords and inlets beneath, as if replicating the Game of Thrones intro.
    Phil Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
Interjection
  • And then, oh, my gosh, the brother of the person that's in the lake works at the boathouse in Lexington.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 July 2025
  • The jalapeno pesto it’s bathed in transports the dish from ho-hum to oh, yum!
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • My sources tell me that the FBI wanted to release more information about Jeffrey Epstein, and Pam Blondi and her DOJ said NO.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • This shift reframes resilience as a source of growth and stability.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Individuals will have access to a truly global pool of mentors, available on-demand for specific questions or challenges, particularly within rapidly evolving fields.
    David Henkin, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Thankfully, there are plenty of other ways to cool off in the water without a pool.
    Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • For leaders, healthy paranoia channels that same response.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • The Boost: Turkey, tofu, beans, and eggs serve up a good dose of protein, iron, potassium, and magnesium; nuts and seeds add healthy fats.
    Katie Sullivan Morford, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
Adverb
  • The breathable linen fabric is a lifesaver on hot days, yet has just enough weight to wear in shoulder seasons as well; on cooler evenings, this maxi dress looks great layered under a cropped sweater.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • Boasting a light sweetness and plenty of texture, these bites work great straight from the bag or tossed into a reusable container to keep sand out.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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