hale 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhāl How to pronounce hale (audio)
Definition of halenext
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
Haley, among others, haled the fact that budget cutting efforts took some $285 million, or roughly 5 percent, out of the U.N.’s budget last December. —George Russell, Fox News, 16 May 2018 China Money Network Crypto crackdown China, home to the world’s biggest community of Bitcoin miners, is cracking down on cryptocurrency activity, haling trade of virtual currencies on domestic exchanges and banning initial currency offerings. —Clay Chandler, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2018 See All Example Sentences for hale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hale
  1. healthy
  2. haul
  3. well
  4. pull
  5. robust
  6. drag
  7. tow
Adjective
  • The hugging may be a personality quirk, but not doing laundry for a month suggests that there is a problem in her life – economic, emotional, mental or logistical – that’s keeping her from maintaining healthy habits.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
  • Early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and regular checkups can help manage both conditions and improve quality of life.
    — Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 20 July 2025
Definition of healthy
Verb
  • The Dane hauled his way up the mountain, mouth contorted, back and elbows askew, willing his bike to chase.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2025
  • Six hours later, Kim and David watched their prize hauled tail-first to the crossbeam of the scales back at Darenberg’s dock in Montauk.
    — Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
Definition of haul
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
Verb
  • Brands began to pull together resources to support refugees.
    — Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
  • The 13-minute performance will likely call for a healthy dose of vibrant, colored lighting to pull it all together.
    — Kelly Allen, House Beautiful, 10 Feb. 2023
Definition of pull
Adjective
  • But the robust coffee base can be a bit strong for a toasty summer day.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2025
  • The retreat from a bipartisan tradition of robust foreign aid alone will cause hundreds of thousands of deaths and could lead to millions more in the next few years by some estimates.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
Definition of robust
Verb
  • Pitmaster Roy Perez ceremoniously dragged a metal tub of hot coals up Commerce Street to transfer the fire from the old pits to the new ones.
    — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 23 July 2025
  • Charlie's sudden, grotesque exit becomes the catalyst for the rest of the film, dragging her family down a relentless tailspin of grief (and ancestral demons).
    — James Mercadante, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of drag
Verb
  • The Blue Oval offers several engine options and trims designed for towing, off-roading, and more.
    — Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
  • Most notably, critics criticized Tesla’s decision to substitute a conventional steel frame for less durable aluminum castings that can break when towing enough weight.
    — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 17 July 2025
Definition of tow

Browse Nearby Words

halcyon
hale
haled
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“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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