well 1 of 4

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well

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interjection

well

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noun

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as in pool
a small often deep body of water the spot where the spring bubbles up to the surface and forms a deep well

Synonyms & Similar Words

well

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word well distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of well are hale, healthy, robust, sound, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could hale be used to replace well?

While the synonyms hale and well are close in meaning, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

Where would healthy be a reasonable alternative to well?

Although the words healthy and well 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 well?

The words robust and well are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is it sensible to use sound instead of well?

In some situations, the words sound and well are roughly equivalent. However, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When would wholesome be a good substitute for well?

While in some cases nearly identical to well, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

Examples 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 well
Adverb
The market works reasonably well in connecting high-skilled workers to job opportunities around the globe. Amy Pope, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 While the singer’s solo career has been growing over the course of the last several months, her collaborative ventures with various fashion brands has grown as well. Julia Teti, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025
Interjection
And indeed, Nancy-as-Sam doesn’t win Champa over for long, as her off-putting actions are still, well, off-putting. Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024 Soon there will be another game and more minutes to play, and whatever works, well, it’s worked. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
Pasco died instantly, according to the outlet, and Pugh made the life-saving decision to lay still underneath her friend’s body and wait until her attackers left them behind in the well, believing both to be dead. Sean Neumann, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 But while the fatality rate for most wheel well stowaways is high, some people have survived the ordeal. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
This was not the first time Burgess mentioned how well life with their blended family is going. Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 18 July 2023 In addition to the state-of-the-art tailgating zone, Cindy and her family received some well wishes from former Jets running back Curtis Martin. Ally Mauch, PEOPLE.com, 25 Aug. 2020 See all Example Sentences for well 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well
Adverb
  • Vivier says modern rhinos can live and reproduce just fine without horns, which are used primarily by bulls to assert their dominance.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 16 Jan. 2025
  • By Hannah Jackson January 14, 2025 Lia Toby/Getty Images Once upon a time Timothée Chalamet dressed so fine.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Yarrow’s own behavior was hardly as kindly as the sound of his group.
    Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
  • But unlike the mockingbird, which has a rich and varied voice, the scrub-jay has a song that can be most kindly described as non-musical.
    Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • The video — posted by TikTok user Belle Hesse on Jan. 7 — shows hands placing a perfectly cut, phone-sized piece of sturdy cardboard inside a black phone case with an opaque screen protector.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
  • This wine—the crisp Pinot Bianco, the textured Chardonnay, the exotic Gewürztraminer, the elegant Pinot Noir, or the robust Lagrein—perfectly exemplify this region's quality and diversity.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Interjection
  • And oh, look: another fire had started in Sylmar, to the north of our house.
    Lesley M. M. Blume, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Uh oh—that box of crayons has melted into a waxy mess.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Filming began in May 1972 and took several years to complete, largely because of funding issues (the money came from a variety of sources, including grants, loans from Lynch’s father and friends, including Sissy Spacek, and even Lynch’s own paper route).
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The city relies extensively on the approval of state loans and other sources of funding that are under the governor’s purview.
    Alexandra Berzon, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Murphy, 28, is now the most experienced one in the pool with 20 caps.
    Meg Linehan, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • These individuals often show loyalty to the organization and, in many cases, allegiance to senior leaders who have placed them in the talent pool.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Will wellness culture be exposed for not being healthy at all?
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
  • For many people who are healthy and don’t have underlying health conditions, the short-term effects of wildfire smoke will likely resolve once they’re no longer exposed to the smoke, Han says.
    Chantelle Lee, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • The presentation also featured a surprise appearance by Tom Brady, the NFL great turned broadcaster for Fox Sports.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Explore Avicii Bob Dylan See latest videos, charts and news This week: Timothée Chalamet helps get Bob Dylan rolling on streaming, one of basketball’s Ball brothers goes supernova on social media, a late dance great sees streaming gains from a new documentary and more.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 8 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near well

Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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