WHOLESOME Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'wholesome' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wholesome are hale , healthy , robust , sound , and well . While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance. // a face with a wholesome glow

Q: Where would 'hale' be a reasonable alternative to 'wholesome'?

Although the words hale and wholesome have much in common, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age. // still hale at the age of eighty

Q: When is it sensible to use 'healthy' instead of 'wholesome'?

In some situations, the words healthy and wholesome are roughly equivalent. However, 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 'wholesome'?

The synonyms robust and wholesome are sometimes interchangeable, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly. // a lively, robust little boy

Q: When can 'sound' be used instead of 'wholesome'?

The meanings of sound and wholesome largely overlap; however, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. // a sound heart

Q: When could 'well' be used to replace 'wholesome'?

While the synonyms well and wholesome are close in meaning, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness. // she has never been a well person

wholesome

adjective

ˈhōl-səm

Definition of wholesome next

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor a wholesome young woman in the prime of her life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in good

beneficial to the health of body or mind trying to eat a more wholesome diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wholesome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wholesome are hale, healthy, robust, sound, and well. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

Where would hale be a reasonable alternative to wholesome?

Although the words hale and wholesome have much in common, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When is it sensible to use healthy instead of wholesome?

In some situations, the words healthy and wholesome are roughly equivalent. However, 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 wholesome?

The synonyms robust and wholesome are sometimes interchangeable, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When can sound be used instead of wholesome?

The meanings of sound and wholesome largely overlap; however, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When could well be used to replace wholesome?

While the synonyms well and wholesome are close in meaning, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

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 wholesome Lego Friends Advent Calendar 2024 Take comfort in knowing that Lego Friends fans can enjoy 24 days of wholesome friendship with the 272-piece Lego Friends Advent Calendar. —

Daniela Capistrano, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024 Despite the viral antics, many interactions through the New York-Dublin portal were more wholesome, including proposals and reunions between distant friends. —

Conor Murray, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Some of that was wholesome, and much has been made in the last few days of the tangible ways that the fan community impacted peoples’ real lives. —

Lucy Ford, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024 The Chicago native, who will be 76 in November, is leading a wave of Baby Boomer influencers flooding social media with wholesome content. —

Sofia Celeste, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wholesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholesome

Adjective

Studies have shown the positive effect that strength training can have on healthy bone development in kids, leading to a lower likelihood of fractures.

Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
Supergirl started as a CBS series with a healthy budget and a sunshiney Devil Wears Prada–esque story about Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist), Superman’s cousin, paying her dues as a journalist and fledgling superhero.

Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024