hale 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhāl How to pronounce hale (audio)
Definition of halenext
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor still hale and strong at 80, often outdoing his younger golfing buddies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hale

2 of 2

verb

as in to haul
to cause to follow by applying steady force on the fishermen haled the huge net onto the deck of the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hale distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of hale?

Although the words healthy and hale 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 hale?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is sound a more appropriate choice than hale?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of hale?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could wholesome be used to replace hale?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. However, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

How is the word hale distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of hale?

Although the words healthy and hale 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 hale?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is sound a more appropriate choice than hale?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of hale?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could wholesome be used to replace hale?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. However, wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance.

a face with a wholesome glow

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 hale
Adjective
The Chamber of Commerce dream demographic for new Angelenos was hale, white, middle- and yeoman-class Americans. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 What this signal reveals is a home range that hardly budged in Fred’s early adolescence, while the hale and hearty growth rates of childhood dramatically fell off. —Peter Brannen, The Atlantic, 22 June 2022
Verb
Even though no one is being haled into court, parents still need to behave civilly. —Paul Sullivan, New York Times, 8 May 2020 Then an employer who attempts union-busting could be haled into court and face an injunction against demoting or firing union organizers, followed by a trial and possibly heavy damages. —Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, 28 June 2018 See All Example Sentences for hale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hale
  1. healthy
  2. haul
  3. well
  4. pull
  5. robust
  6. drag
  7. tow
Adjective
  • But his family says Ty was perfectly healthy before suddenly dying.
    — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Kailer Yamamoto and Liam O’Brien, who was in the lineup after 18 games as a healthy scratch, also scored for the Mammoth, who won their fourth straight road game.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of healthy
Verb
  • The barge was hauling concrete debris to an empty lot on Di Lido Island in Miami Beach across the bay.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Tankers hauling oil have been stuck in the Strait, impacting not only American gas prices, but energy prices around the world.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of haul
Adjective
  • The prescriptions program is expected to serve about 6,500 children and families in northwest Milwaukee at nearly 13,000 annual well-child visits.
    — Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Last week, Spurs beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at home and all was well with the world.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of well
Verb
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
  • After Giants shortstop Willy Adames' throw on Semien's infield single pulled first baseman Jerar Encarnacion off the bag, third baseman Chapman made a throwing error that allowed one run to score.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of pull
Adjective
  • Job growth is projected at a robust 10% by 2034.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • This year’s lineup though, is among the most robust it’s organized to date, with Post Malone, Twenty One Pilots and Zac Brown Band all listed as headliners, while Megan Moroney, Ravyn Lenae, Russell Dickerson and Dominic Fike are all on the bill as well.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of robust
Verb
  • Continue reading … EMERGENCY EASE — Trump administration steps in with rare tax relief for DHS workers as shutdown drags on.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Several parents who spoke to The Baltimore Sun, under the condition of anonymity because of fears that the institution would retaliate against their sons, questioned why the school continues to drag its feet about bringing back Moran.
    — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • An entirely new rig was towed from an Oakland shipyard and installed just to the east of the platform.
    — Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of tow

Browse Nearby Words

halcyon
hale
haled
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Cite this Entry

“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hale for Spanish Speakers

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