Synonyms of healthful

healthful

adjective

ˈhelth-fəl 

as in healthy

beneficial to the health of body or mind

one of the most healthful forms of exercise is a brisk walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• healthy
• good
• medicinal
• wholesome
• nutritional
• salubrious
• restorative
• salutary
• tonic
• refreshing
• sanative
• useful
• remedial
• nutritious
• curative
• corrective
• salutiferous
• advantageous
• sanitary
• rehabilitative
• clean
• hygienic
• nourishing
• rejuvenating
• recuperative
• alleviative
• antiseptic
• aseptic
• nontoxic
• nonpoisonous
• rejuvenescent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harmful
• unhealthy
• unwholesome
• noxious
• injurious
• deleterious
• damaging
• toxic
• unhealthful
• pernicious
• infectious
• poisonous
• insalubrious
• sickening
• unsanitary
• insanitary
• unhygienic

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective healthful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of healthful are salubrious, salutary, and wholesome. While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

When might salubrious be a better fit than healthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthful, salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.

cool and salubrious weather

When can salutary be used instead of healthful?

The words salutary and healthful can be used in similar contexts, but salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

When is wholesome a more appropriate choice than healthful?

The synonyms wholesome and healthful are sometimes interchangeable, but wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.

wholesome foods

the movie is wholesome family entertainment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of healthful

Between the lines: Senate Democrats have not been raising alarms at the same level, however, and there is some speculation Kennedy could even pick up a few Democratic votes, given some lawmakers' interest in issues like healthful foods. —Peter Sullivan, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025

Guests will also receive a nutrition consultation aimed at eating better to live longer, along with healthful meals packed with superfoods. —Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

Even worse, while peeling a healthful banana was against the rules, opening a bag of potato chips was apparently fine. —Peter C. Baker, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025

This healthful snack is ready to eat in about 30 minutes. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024

Video

Healthy vs. Healthful

Why both words are equally good for you.