HALE Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy , robust , sound , well , and wholesome . While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age. // still hale at the age of eighty

Q: When can 'healthy' be used instead of 'hale'?

Although the words healthy and hale 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 'hale'?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly. // a lively, robust little boy

Q: When is 'sound' a more appropriate choice than 'hale'?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. // a sound heart

Q: When is it sensible to use 'well' instead of 'hale'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale , well implies merely freedom from disease or illness. // she has never been a well person

Q: When could 'wholesome' be used to replace 'hale'?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. However, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance. // a face with a wholesome glow

hale 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhāl

Definition of hale next

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor still hale and strong at 80, often outdoing his younger golfing buddies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hale

2 of 2

verb

as in to haul

to cause to follow by applying steady force on the fishermen haled the huge net onto the deck of the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hale distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of hale?

Although the words healthy and hale 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 hale?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is sound a more appropriate choice than hale?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of hale?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could wholesome be used to replace hale?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. 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 hale

Adjective

The Chamber of Commerce dream demographic for new Angelenos was hale, white, middle- and yeoman-class Americans. —

Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 At a hale 77, Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a medical biochemist, botanist, organic chemist, poet, author and developer of artificial blood. —

New York Times, 24 Feb. 2022

Verb

Even though no one is being haled into court, parents still need to behave civilly. —

Paul Sullivan, New York Times, 8 May 2020 Then an employer who attempts union-busting could be haled into court and face an injunction against demoting or firing union organizers, followed by a trial and possibly heavy damages. —

Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, 28 June 2018 See all Example Sentences for hale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hale

Adjective

However, activists concerned with animal rights, the environment, the rights of farmers, and human health are already working to ease the distortions of the subsidy system and align government subsidies with recommendations as to what constitutes a healthy, sustainable diet.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
The 31-year-old team leader still managed to play in 151 games, and despite the foot injury, has now logged three healthy seasons, playing 151 in 2022 and career-high 152 in 2023.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025