WHOLESOME Synonyms: 124 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

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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

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 wholesome Throughout the evening, the cast and EPs spoke about how special the show feels to them to make, while also praising its wholesome, comforting warmth. —

Abby Stern, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026 Hearty and wholesome, this pasta salad is loaded with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, lentils, salty cheese, and parsley, all cloaked in a light and bright red wine vinaigrette. —

Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 5 May 2026 The more macho wholesome image, Robert Rundo thinks, gives young men permission to adopt his fascist philosophy. —

Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 3 May 2026 The title track, with its glassy melody and woozy, almost stumbling groove, deploys wholesome, end-of-the-night, comedown energy not unlike Bicep’s most beloved tracks. —

Reid Bg, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wholesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholesome

Adjective

But with Cole, Schlittler and Fried potentially healthy, operating at full capacity and spearheading this rotation down the stretch and into October?

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
Essential Care Tips Proper cucumber care leads to a speedy, healthy harvest.

— SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026

Definition of healthy

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wholesaling

wholesome

wholesomeness

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“Wholesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wholesome. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of wholesome

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