Synonym Chooser

How is the word wholesome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wholesome are hale, healthy, robust, sound, and well. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

Where would hale be a reasonable alternative to wholesome?

Although the words hale and wholesome have much in common, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When is it sensible to use healthy instead of wholesome?

In some situations, the words healthy and wholesome are roughly equivalent. However, 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 wholesome?

The synonyms robust and wholesome are sometimes interchangeable, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When can sound be used instead of wholesome?

The meanings of sound and wholesome largely overlap; however, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When could well be used to replace wholesome?

While the synonyms well and wholesome are close in meaning, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

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 wholesome Whether in your own backyard or a local park, a picnic is a wholesome get-together for the low-maintenance couple. Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 4 June 2025 As Seabrook discovers, the operation’s iconic logo and name served as a wholesome public-facing front for the family’s lucrative but frequently shady business dealings, which required social and political savvy more than knowledge of the weather. Cree Lefavour, New York Times, 30 May 2025 And the District’s SMART Bus visits different locations throughout Osceola County, including hotels and other housing accommodations, to provide homework assistance and healthy habits and activities to promote a wholesome lifestyle to students. Debbie Daniel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025 Or will the wholesome fan favorite with the perma-smile remain a fixture? Margy Rochlin, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wholesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholesome
Adjective
  • Primarily, passenger revenue grew a healthy 5.4% to £2.16 billion, as travel demand remained robust and was able to meet the higher capacity introduced.
    John Choong, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Many everyday foods in Japan are super healthy, and the cuisine is based on natural, nutritious ingredients.
    Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • That looks like a pretty good bet to me, going forward.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
  • By constantly rethinking how the world functions and how best to protect the natural environment, Lombard Odier IM has positioned itself as a guide for achieving long-term, sustainable growth.
    Judith Magyar, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • At the same time, approximately 80% of chronic disease and premature death could be prevented by not smoking, being physically active, and adhering to a healthful dietary pattern.
    Gil Press, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The home created for the program was filled with a gym, healthful food and other healthful amenities.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Desktop Specialist is a fast entry point; the Data Analyst certification builds on it with more robust tools for visual analytics.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The original film was very light in the production sound (i.e., foley effects); this is pretty robust.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wholesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wholesome. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wholesome

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!