HEALTHY Synonyms: 239 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

healthy

adjective

ˈhel-thē

Definition of healthy next

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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a healthy diet

a nutritious diet

a balanced diet

a beneficial diet

a proper diet

a good diet

a healthy economy

a strong economy

a stable economy

a balanced economy

a sturdy economy

a sustainable economy

healthy life

active life

holistic life

balanced life

energetic life

happy life

a healthy environment

a sustainable environment

a positive environment

a helpful environment

a safe environment

a beneficial environment

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 healthy Its remarkable flexibility — allowing relationships between Sims of any gender since 2000, as well as support for a healthy modding community — has kept it socially relevant over time like few other video game series, even as its core appeal remains largely unchanged. —

Susan Stone, NPR, 1 Feb. 2025 Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. —

Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 1 Feb. 2025 Also, for trouble-free and healthy roses that have undergone rigorous field testing, check the Earth-kind website, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkindroses. —

Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025 However, being taller and more muscular comes with greater evolutionary costs, as a male must eat a lot and also be physically healthy both during childhood and as an adult to achieve and maintain such traits. —

Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for healthy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthy

Adjective

Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.

— Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024

Definition of well

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“Healthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthy. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 7 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of healthy

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