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

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as in masterfully

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

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as in kindly

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

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as in nicely

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

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as in perfectly

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

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as in smoothly

without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

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well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh

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

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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

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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

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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

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 well

Adverb

The fine-dining restaurant inside The Jefferson Hotel had some of the best happy hour specials in the city, and Richmond's been missing them for five very long years. —

Karri Peifer, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025 Cap Toe Ballet Flat Ballet flats are back, and no brand does ballet flats better than Tory Burch. —

Nina Derwin, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025

Interjection

Issey Miyake card wallet, $295 Masculine Minimalism A billfold wallet in a black, matte leather will serve him well no matter his style, age, or occupation. —

Ian Malone, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2025 Jordan Tannahill’s play about a future monarch who happens to be a … well, the word’s in the title. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

Noun

Johnson likes to say the well is deep when asked about his bag of trick plays. —

Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 Rural communities in High Fire Threat Districts are particularly affected when the power goes out because many residents rely on water from wells powered by electricity for their homes, horses and livestock. —

Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. —

Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Oct. 2023 This was not the first time Burgess mentioned how well life with their blended family is going. —

Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 18 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for well

Recent Examples of Synonyms for well

Adverb

The search function offers basic functionality but works fine for finding movies, networks, and TV shows.

— PCMAG, PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2025
Bankers and big-business executives weathered the storm just fine.

— Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2025