salutary

adjective

sal·​u·​tary ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce salutary (audio)
1
: producing a beneficial effect : remedial
salutary influences
2
: promoting health : curative
salutarily adverb
salutariness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for salutary

healthful, wholesome, salubrious, salutary mean favorable to the health of mind or body.

healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.

wholesome foods
the movie is wholesome family entertainment

salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.

cool and salubrious weather

salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

Examples of salutary in a Sentence

The accident should be a salutary lesson to be more careful. the low interest rates should have a salutary effect on business
Recent Examples on the Web The results should make salutary reading for the U.K.’s new government, which has been talking a lot about the need for growth but also proposing new laws concerning workers’ rights and is believed to be contemplating higher taxes in its first Budget next month. Roger Trapp, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 But the evolution of personal computing offers a salutary lesson. Vipul Ved Prakash, TIME, 11 Sep. 2024 Antitrust enthusiasts often point to this as an example of salutary government intervention, but this is a classic post hoc ergo propter hoc error. The Editors, National Review, 13 Aug. 2024 Beyond freeing up American attention and resources, a right-sized relationship would also have a salutary effect on European strategic planning: when pushed to take day-to-day responsibility for continental security, European states would have to bear the full costs of their security choices. Justin Logan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for salutary 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'salutary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French salutaire, from Latin salutaris, from salut-, salus health

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of salutary was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near salutary

Cite this Entry

“Salutary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salutary. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

salutary

adjective
sal·​u·​tary ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce salutary (audio)
1
: producing a good result
2
: furthering good health
salutariness noun

Medical Definition

salutary

adjective
sal·​u·​tary ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce salutary (audio)
: promoting health : curative

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