healthful

adjective

ˈhelth-fəl How to pronounce healthful (audio)
Definition of healthfulnext
as in healthy
beneficial to the health of body or mind one of the most healthful forms of exercise is a brisk walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective healthful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of healthful are salubrious, salutary, and wholesome. While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

When might salubrious be a better fit than healthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthful, salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.

cool and salubrious weather

When can salutary be used instead of healthful?

The words salutary and healthful can be used in similar contexts, but salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

When is wholesome a more appropriate choice than healthful?

The synonyms wholesome and healthful are sometimes interchangeable, but wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.

wholesome foods
the movie is wholesome family entertainment

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 healthful Or what if a nurse advised a patient to stop exercising or sleeping regularly, or eating healthful meals, or taking prescribed medications? —Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026 Terranova, who leads a healthful lifestyle, was actually in acute heart failure. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026 There are ways to ease the adjustment, including getting more sunshine to help reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. —Lauran Neergaard, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 There are ways to ease the adjustment, including getting more sunshine to help reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. —ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
  1. healthy
  2. good
Adjective
  • These investments strengthen families, improve long-term well-being, and help create healthier, more resilient communities for generations to come.
    — Maria Bledsoe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026
  • Other than the hamstring of OG Anunoby, the Knicks are healthy.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 16 May 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Guests don’t even need to leave the Torre Virreyes building to dine at a few other top restaurants in the area, including the aforementioned Carmela y Sal, which has one of the city’s best tasting menus.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Shohei Ohtani also put together good at-bats.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026
Definition of good

Browse Nearby Words

health clubs
healthful
healthfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthful. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on healthful

Nglish: Translation of healthful for Spanish Speakers

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