wholesome

adjective

ˈhōl-səm How to pronounce wholesome (audio)
Definition of wholesomenext
1
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
2
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 its run, 7th Heaven tackled numerous relevant issues facing families at the time (and still today), including teen pregnancy, drug use, and the trials and tribulations of raising seven children at once, often concluding with a wholesome moral message. —Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025 Since the video went viral, Prins says it's been so wholesome to read through the comments and see how much the story has touched people. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 While the film fails to deliver wholesome entertainment package that Khan is known for, Sikandar does offer a cocktail of thrills, traditional family values, and Khan’s star persona. —Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Watch this grandma's wholesome reaction to her grandson's publishing deal. —Allison Moses, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wholesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholesome
  1. healthy
  2. good
  3. well
  4. healthful
  5. robust
Adjective
  • As a reliever who started the season healthy, Minter might not need that much time to build up.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Seeding Square is a sturdy plastic template that helps properly space seeds and seedlings for healthy plants and bountiful harvests.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • The forthcoming rain was good news for crews battling a wildfire in central New Jersey that erupted on April 22 and has consumed 12,250 acres.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Okay, top-10 best movie entrance of all time for Blake Lively.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Crockpots are still made well, as are, in my experience anyway, the more modernized version: Instant Pots.
    — Parker Hall, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The witch’s magic is still MIA, but her attitude is well and truly back.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024
Definition of well
Adjective
  • People’s lives today lack diets of healthful whole foods, clean water, regular exercise, and adequate sunlight.
    — Kevin Reutenauer, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Some foods naturally contain healthful fats and can be added to your diet.
    — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2025
Definition of healthful
Adjective
  • The Panthers added two offensive weapons on Day 3 who also have robust return experience.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The platform has a robust interface that allows users to manage rosters across teams, from freshman to junior varsity (JV), and varsity.
    — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of robust

Browse Nearby Words

wholesaling
wholesome
wholesomeness
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Cite this Entry

“Wholesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wholesome. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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