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 Chef up wholesome meals for guests in the kitchen with Wolf appliances before making a short trek to the formal dining room nearby. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 July 2025 Avoiding inflammatory foods and sticking to wholesome ingredients that nourish your microbiota naturally. —Violeta Valdés, Vogue, 2 July 2025 This is a most wholesome promise of the monetary innovation that continues to gather strength in contemporary times. —Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Learn quick, wholesome, and delicious meal ideas that fit into a busy schedule, from one-pan wonders to make-ahead meals that save time and energy. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wholesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholesome
  1. healthy
  2. good
  3. well
  4. healthful
  5. robust
Adjective
  • Food security is improving in Southeast Asia and South America, but in Africa, the number of people unable to afford a healthy diet has risen from 864 million to 1 billion.
    — Danielle Nierenberg, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Why not spend research money on making drugs that are good for you, that are healthy?
    — Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Despite that, the Lyriq-V’s looks, comfort and features are as good as anything on the road.
    — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • The cocktails are classic and the wine list is so good that it's been lauded by Wine Spectator magazine.
    — Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 31 July 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
  • Helping people live positive, healthful lives in a sustainable way that also nurtures a love of the natural world is at the heart of a Connecticut market, according to its owner.
    — Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2025
  • Inflammation begins to occur, which is not a healthful state.
    — Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 22 July 2025
Definition of healthful
Adjective
  • Ice is cheaper in states like Minnesota and Michigan, where the competition is robust and many rinks are community-owned and -run.
    — Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Investment in robust e-commerce logistics infrastructure makes its online storefront the place to be as management works to aggressively decrease delivery times and reduce overall costs.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 Aug. 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 7 Aug. 2025.

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