able-bodied

adjective

ˌā-bəl-ˈbä-dēd How to pronounce able-bodied (audio)
Definition of able-bodiednext
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor every able-bodied young man in the village had been sent off to fight in the war

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 able-bodied The study also focused primarily on white, able-bodied participants, so results may not translate to other groups. — Allison Forsyth, Health, 22 May 2026 That includes work or job-training expectations for able-bodied adults receiving assistance, temporary workforce placement when needed, and better coordination between programs so help reaches those truly in need. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 The law created stricter working requirements for able-bodied individuals ages 18-64 who have SNAP benefits. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026 Gender-affirming procedures should be treated like any other elective medical procedure for able-bodied adults, funded by their own private insurance or paid out-of-pocket. — Teresa Liu, Oc Register, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for able-bodied
Recent Examples of Synonyms for able-bodied
  1. healthy
  2. well
  3. robust
  4. sturdy
Adjective
  • She has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes vision loss, and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
    — Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • And unlike day one of last season, which saw offensive lineman Bayron Matos get airlifted to a local hospital and cornerback Artie Burns suffer a significant knee injury, the Dolphins emerged healthy.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • When complaint becomes habitual, one’s attention might automatically drift toward problems; the neural path is well trod.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • When South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena blasted home a penalty that leveled things in the 83rd minute and Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted at an ear-splitting decibel level, any thoughts of The Wave were well and truly forgotten.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
Definition of well
Adjective
  • According to park factor, the run-scoring environment at Sutter Health the past two seasons is the second-most robust in the majors, behind only Coors Field.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • For everyone’s peace of mind, robust security measures must be put in place to ensure that only genuine factory software can be installed and that hackers are locked out.
    — Michael Harley, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
Definition of robust
Adjective
  • All of these are captured using his Nikon Z8 and 100-400mm lens, usually set on a sturdy tripod with a fluid head.
    — Patrick Connolly Orlando Sentinel, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Getty’s 5%-plus dividend accounts for less than 80% of FFO estimates, and it’s backed by sturdy tenants with good credit.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy

Browse Nearby Words

able
able-bodied
able-bodied seaman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Able-bodied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/able-bodied. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on able-bodied

Nglish: Translation of able-bodied for Spanish Speakers

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