healthy

adjective

ˈhel-thē How to pronounce healthy (audio)
Definition of healthynext
1
as in well
enjoying health and vigor always a hard worker, Grandma has remained healthy into her 80s

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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4
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
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 The Treasure Valley has a healthy supply of spots for these tasty Mexican treats. —Idaho Statesman Staff, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2025 This strategic focus on ensuring a healthy mix of companies across sectors has enabled the HQ portfolio to outperform the S&P 500, achieving returns greater than 91% since its inception. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 People who are relatively young and healthy could consider forgoing an annual shot, absent a dramatic change in the virus. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 31 May 2025 Potential Risks Okra water is generally safe for most healthy adults. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthy
  1. well
  2. good
  3. substantial
  4. thriving
  5. robust
  6. healthful
  7. sizable
  8. prosperous
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
Adjective
  • The win was the fifth in a row for Detroit and 20th in its last 28 games, and raised its division-leading record to 35-21, good for a .655 winning percentage.
    — Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
  • Final Thoughts If Chianti Classico once lived in the shadow of its own stereotypes—rustic or simple, a table wine for casual occasions—its best wines today reflect something far more compelling.
    — Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Health insurers - losers The bill includes substantial funding cuts for the U.S. Medicaid program, with fiscal hawks pushing for cuts to partly offset the cost of the bill's tax components.
    — Shashwat Chauhan, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The raw data obscures just how substantial and prolonged the downfall of the little guy in the NBA has been.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of substantial
Adjective
  • Those early investments in community development and youth engagement laid the foundation for what is now a thriving professional ecosystem.
    — Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Josh Kraft will deliver a more livable and thriving city for all Bostonians.
    — Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • On the complex palate, vibrant fruit emerges, supported by a robust herbaceous backbone, while subtle wood adds depth to the outstanding finish.
    — Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • For Better Wi-Fi 6 Amazon Eero 6+ $300 $225 $240 $180 The Eero 6+ offers everything the regular Eero 6 does, including easy setup, a similar compact design, and robust smart home support.
    — Simon Hill, Wired News, 1 June 2025
Definition of robust
Adjective
  • For example, a suit in Montana targeted the state for failing to provide its residents with a healthful environment.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Allergy-Free Snacks To Pack for School Here are 15 allergy-free snacks that are healthful and free from the most common food allergens: Fresh fruit: Fresh fruit, like apples, clementines, and pears, is a safe snack for your child to bring to school.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of healthful
Adjective
  • That enthusiasm has pushed one of his most popular collections back to the summit on one major list, while another brand new title earns the rock legend another top 10 bestseller — just ahead of what’s sure to be another sizable debut.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • No one has been detained in Miami-Dade or Duval counties, according to county clerk and state court data, despite the areas boasting sizable immigrant populations.
    — Hannah Critchfield, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Definition of sizable
Adjective
  • The back half of Barbarian takes us back to 1981, a more prosperous time for the neighborhood.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 1 June 2025
  • Keep in mind the child has time on his/her side to pay for the loan, save for retirement and enjoy an overall prosperous life, while the parent will run out of time much sooner to pay for retirement.
    — David Kudla, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of prosperous

Browse Nearby Words

health spas
healthy
heap
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Cite this Entry

“Healthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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