WELL Synonyms: 504 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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in masterfully

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindly

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nicely

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smoothly

without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Dress well, change often Saint-Tropez has always welcomed a touch of fashion bravado. — Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 Bally's Chicago remains well situated to continue delivering on its obligations. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Interjection

As executed, the 2019 show is an emotional yet refreshingly unsentimental black comedy that snickers in the face of empowerment buzzwords like, well, healing journey. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Fans got a sneak peek of how that logo (the green M) looks on a basketball court and, well, fans were not impressed. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

President Sheinbaum’s prerequisite about a system to monitor aquifer integrity may find learnings in an extensive surveillance of producing wells and water wells in coalbed methane plays in Australia, which has been documented. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 It should also be noted that the rear wheel wells may require different mud flaps than the front wheel wells. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The detox helps remove build up from well water or any kind of minerals. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 Get well Dodger friend and may God bless you and your family. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for well

Recent Examples of Synonyms for well

Adverb

Swift is still working just fine, which explains why NASA wants to save it.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
From a growth perspective, Google has been doing just fine on AI.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Kif Leswing, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Adverb

All 20 rooms have furnished seating areas, French windows, and generously sized bathrooms with Penhaligon’s Quercus toiletries and a separate walk-in shower (plus soaking tubs in some).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Heritage mills and longtime AD-favorite brands—like Frette and Sferra—craft design-minded pieces like scalloped towels and offer personalization across hand towels, washcloths, and even generously sized bath sheets.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of generously

Adverb

That was the trademark philosophy of legendary interior designer Albert Hadley, who masterfully shaped high-society taste for decades.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026
The action sequences in this film aren’t overpowering, but they are masterfully choreographed.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

Offensive notes Tommy DeVito settled in nicely after sailing some early throws.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of nicely

Adverb

His fifth curled through the legs of Tarik Muharemovic and perfectly to Joshua Zirkzee’s feet for his first-time finish.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
A little bit funny, a lot cheesy and completely, unabashedly earnest, her Liz is — like moms everywhere — at once a perfectly ordinary woman and the center of the universe.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of perfectly

Adverb

While three smaller blinds installed smoothly, offering lessons on pre-charging motors and remote programming, the largest window presented significant challenges.

— Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Adaptive brightness smoothly adjusts the display based on the ambient lighting, and while the original Ultra is bright enough to read even in direct sunlight, the boost is welcome in harsh conditions and when using the watch as a flashlight.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of smoothly

Cite this Entry

Style

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of well

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Synonyms of well

adverb

interjection

noun

adjective

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