HEALTHINESSES Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'healthy' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of healthy are hale , robust , sound , well , and wholesome . While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease. // a healthy family

Q: Where would 'hale' be a reasonable alternative to 'healthy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthy , hale applies particularly to robustness in old age. // still hale at the age of eighty

Q: When is 'robust' a more appropriate choice than 'healthy'?

While the synonyms robust and healthy are close in meaning, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly. // a lively, robust little boy

Q: When might 'sound' be a better fit than 'healthy'?

Although the words sound and healthy have much in common, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. // a sound heart

Q: When would 'well' be a good substitute for 'healthy'?

The words well and healthy can be used in similar contexts, but well implies merely freedom from disease or illness. // she has never been a well person

Q: In what contexts can 'wholesome' take the place of 'healthy'?

The meanings of wholesome and healthy largely overlap; however, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance. // a face with a wholesome glow

healthiness 1 of 2

noun

Definition of healthiness next

as in health

the condition of being sound in body healthy teeth are an indication of a horse's overall healthiness

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healthy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈhel-thē

as in well

enjoying health and vigor always a hard worker, Grandma has remained healthy into her 80s

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as in good

beneficial to the health of body or mind the air in here isn't healthy ads that promote healthy eating habits

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as in substantial

sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention a healthy turnout of volunteers to plant trees on Arbor Day

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as in thriving

marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically coming out of a prolonged recession, the restaurant business seemed to be healthy again

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word healthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of healthy are hale, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease.

a healthy family

Where would hale be a reasonable alternative to healthy?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthy, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When is robust a more appropriate choice than healthy?

While the synonyms robust and healthy are close in meaning, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When might sound be a better fit than healthy?

Although the words sound and healthy have much in common, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When would well be a good substitute for healthy?

The words well and healthy can be used in similar contexts, but well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

In what contexts can wholesome take the place of healthy?

The meanings of wholesome and healthy largely overlap; however, 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 healthiness

Noun

Unfortunately, Americans have proved themselves to be suckers for packaging that conveys a food’s healthiness, Bragg said. —

Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025

Adjective

The launch pad endured a lightning strike on April 27, but SpaceX said the rocket was healthy for the attempt. —

Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 Waiting until soils are drier before beginning yard work will help protect soil structure, promote healthy plant growth, and support long-term landscape sustainability. —

Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthiness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthiness

Noun

Last week, Narges was finally allowed a brief visit with her sister and two lawyers, who were alarmed at how rapidly her health had deteriorated.

— Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
From moldy cheese to meat sitting out overnight, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants in the last two weeks.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of health

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healthily

healthiness

health spa

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“Healthiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthiness. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of healthiness

noun

adjective

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