WELL Synonyms: 507 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

well 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of well next

as in fine

in a satisfactory way our current system for dividing household chores works well, so let's keep it

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in generously

in a generous manner a warm and gracious host who always treats guests well

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as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner she plays the piano very well

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as in kindly

with good reason or courtesy we cannot well get out of going to your cousin's wedding

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as in nicely

in a pleasing way the day went well, despite the rough beginning

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as in perfectly

to a full extent or degree we are well aware that this home renovation is going to be costly

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as in smoothly

without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

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well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh

how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable well, that is odd!

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well

3 of 4

noun

ˈwel

as in source

a point or place at which something is invented or provided his quirkily dysfunctional family proved to be a bottomless well of inspiration for the novelist

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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

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well

4 of 4

adjective

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor my mother is quite well, thank you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Content by this author: The Case Against Immigration In the United States, there is strong evidence that the national interest has not been well served by the country’s immigration policy over the last five decades. —

Steven Camarota, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024 Staff Pick: The growing debate over cellphones in schools Rick Bowmer / AP Parents and lawmakers across the U.S. are working to figure out how to best serve American kids in an increasingly digital age. —

Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024

Interjection

Now, if Kansas City were to suddenly be without the services of Patrick Mahomes … well, that would be a different story. —

Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Book Now Modern Mountain Chalet in the Catskills Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb Set upon 15 acres yet still in close proximity to town, this chalet in the Catskills is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature without, well, being completely lost in it. —

Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024

Noun

But this larger-than-life persona masks a deep well of trauma: For the past few years, the rapper, born Megan Pete, has struggled with grief, PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts. —

Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024 And sometimes that means digging deep into my well of energy, getting up off the couch, putting down my phone, and throwing myself into play with no misgivings. —

Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2024

Adjective

This was not the first time Burgess mentioned how well life with their blended family is going. —

Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 18 July 2023 In addition to the state-of-the-art tailgating zone, Cindy and her family received some well wishes from former Jets running back Curtis Martin. —

Ally Mauch, PEOPLE.com, 25 Aug. 2020 See all Example Sentences for well

Recent Examples of Synonyms for well

Adverb

Don’t worry, synthetics smell like deer and work fine.

Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
At the corporate level, Sony is actually doing just fine.

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024