hale 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhāl How to pronounce hale (audio)
Definition of halenext
as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor still hale and strong at 80, often outdoing his younger golfing buddies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hale

2 of 2

verb

as in to haul
to cause to follow by applying steady force on the fishermen haled the huge net onto the deck of the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hale distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hale are healthy, robust, sound, well, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

When can healthy be used instead of hale?

Although the words healthy and hale 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 hale?

The words robust and hale can be used in similar contexts, but robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is sound a more appropriate choice than hale?

While the synonyms sound and hale are close in meaning, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When is it sensible to use well instead of hale?

While in some cases nearly identical to hale, well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could wholesome be used to replace hale?

In some situations, the words wholesome and hale are roughly equivalent. However, 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 hale
Adjective
The Chamber of Commerce dream demographic for new Angelenos was hale, white, middle- and yeoman-class Americans. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 What this signal reveals is a home range that hardly budged in Fred’s early adolescence, while the hale and hearty growth rates of childhood dramatically fell off. — Peter Brannen, The Atlantic, 22 June 2022
Verb
Lyft’s leading competitor, Uber, the country’s largest ride-haling service, is not a party to the settlement. — Steve Karnowski, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026 Lyft's leading competitor, Uber, the country's largest ride-haling service, is not a party to the settlement. — ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hale
  1. healthy
  2. haul
  3. well
  4. pull
  5. robust
  6. drag
  7. tow
Adjective
  • The healthiest couples don’t choose between caring for themselves and caring for each other.
    — Joshua Coleman, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Sardines can be part of a healthy diet, but eating them regularly isn’t likely to dramatically change the appearance or health of someone’s skin on its own.
    — Olivia LaBorde, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of healthy
Verb
  • What remains of the trade are 25,000 American horses, gathered up by kill buyers and hauled to slaughter plants across our northern and southern borders.
    — Wayne Pacelle, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Over several weeks, crews physically unbolted and hauled out heavy machinery, dragging thousands of tons of steel out the door.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of haul
Adjective
  • Her roommates, in their graying union suits, seemed happy enough with well water.
    — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • When complaint becomes habitual, one’s attention might automatically drift toward problems; the neural path is well trod.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of well
Verb
  • The Moon enters Sagittarius and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots, pulling your focus toward rest, privacy, space, or household needs.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • With a steam engine, the boat pulled heavy cargo between Budapest and other towns along the Danube.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pull
Adjective
  • Emery knows that his side are robust when battling adversity yet need to find a way to rectify blind spots in their game, such as the tendency to drift through certain matches and against specific tactical challenges.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • If growth stays robust and financial conditions remain loose, demand could stay strong enough to keep inflation elevated and force the Federal Reserve to raise rates more than investors currently expect.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of robust
Verb
  • Pleitez would later tell police she was being confronted by Ahumada and others, who were assaulting her 20-year-old companion and attempting to drag him from the car.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • An agreement could provide momentum for talks to renew the USMCA North American trade pact; US-Mexico talks have dragged on, and the White House has publicly opposed renewing the transcontinental deal.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Police said the vehicle was towed and processed as part of the investigation.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The young men made an emergency call for towing assistance and were focused on dealing with the sinking boat and leaving the island.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of tow

Browse Nearby Words

halcyon
hale
haled
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Cite this Entry

“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hale for Spanish Speakers

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