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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
Snow is best known for being part of the ensemble cast in Universal’s Pitch Perfect and its two sequels. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025 Additionally, leveraging demand forecasting tools can help apparel brands better align production schedules with market trends, improving both speed and sustainability. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Interjection
Timothée Chalamet as Kevin Federline Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images The role of Kevin Federline (otherwise known as K-Fed) needs to be played by someone who isn’t afraid to play a, well, pretty polarizing character. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025 Whether or not this is a fair assessment these days is up for debate, but in my mind meal kit recipes tend to get a bad rap for being, well, boring. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
Coal ash contaminates groundwater and makes large amounts of land unavailable for development. PINES, the town’s community group, formed in about 2003 when residents found heavy metals in their drinking wells. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 In a rare moment of vulnerability, Xan then gives voice to the deep well of shame and self-hate that bubbles beneath his and his brother’s brutish veneer. Bartolomeo Sala, The Dial, 27 Mar. 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
  • Every patron, from fisherman to tourists, gets along just fine.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Everything was going fine until my friend, Sarah (28F), showed up with her 7-month-old baby.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Egg hunt reservations are kindly requested, visit theinnatrsf.com.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Honey, a kindly, child version of Swamp Thing, is silent but playful.
    Harold Goldberg, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • The matzo balls that come straight from the box are fluffy, and perfectly salty, and just easier to make.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The company’s minimalist, open layouts with interactive stations encourage customers to engage directly with products, aligning perfectly with their brand promise of intuitive, user-friendly technology.
    Bryant Richardson, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Interjection
  • Uh oh, has the firefighter moved on and found love with someone new?
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And oh, the power play Imagine a recent season in which the Rangers, in a tie game, get three power plays over the final 9:14 of regulation, including a 24-second five-on-three.
    Arthur Staple, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Legendary is eyeing a 2026 production start, another source adds.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Constructed from Alexander Graham Bell’s simple tetrahedron cell, the Cygnet model consists of two equilateral paper triangles, connected and illuminated by a hidden light source.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Because the Attorney General has chosen to proceed in this way, Mr. Mangione’s Due Process rights have already been violated and the manner in which the Government has acted has prejudiced the grand jury pool and has corrupted the grand jury process.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The move is designed to help fuel Dorothy St. Pictures’ ambitions to grow its talent pool in the U.K. and U.S. and expand its development of premium nonfiction series and docs, as well as its narrative film slate, to further genres and platforms.
    Peter White, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • LaMelo Ball, on a max contract through the 2028-29 season, is undoubtedly one of the game’s most creative players but also hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Viktor Arvidsson’s spike has been more pronounced since mid-March, and reflects a player who finally appears healthy.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Neither queen does great, but Lydia certainly does better.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Well, that turned out great on Wednesday, but Thursday was a different story.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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