WELL Synonyms: 507 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

well 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of well next

as in fine

in a satisfactory way our current system for dividing household chores works well, so let's keep it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in generously

in a generous manner a warm and gracious host who always treats guests well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner she plays the piano very well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindly

with good reason or courtesy we cannot well get out of going to your cousin's wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nicely

in a pleasing way the day went well, despite the rough beginning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in perfectly

to a full extent or degree we are well aware that this home renovation is going to be costly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smoothly

without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh

how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable well, that is odd!

Synonyms & Similar Words

well

3 of 4

noun

ˈwel

as in source

a point or place at which something is invented or provided his quirkily dysfunctional family proved to be a bottomless well of inspiration for the novelist

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

4 of 4

adjective

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor my mother is quite well, thank you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

There are 2,380 comments at the time of writing as well. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025 With the Cowboys well outside of the postseason picture, Elliott asked to be released after playing 15 games for the team that drafted him fourth overall in 2016. —

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Interjection

Greenland coming in hot… well, actually, really really cold!!!! —

Monica Sager, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Think of this as your Phoenix weather wrapped, complete with all the highs (literally) and lows (well, not so low) of 2024. —

Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 21 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
That apparently cleared up just fine on its own after the election.

— Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025