Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective healthful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of healthful are salubrious, salutary, and wholesome. While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

When might salubrious be a better fit than healthful?

While in some cases nearly identical to healthful, salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.

cool and salubrious weather

When can salutary be used instead of healthful?

The words salutary and healthful can be used in similar contexts, but salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

When is wholesome a more appropriate choice than healthful?

The synonyms wholesome and healthful are sometimes interchangeable, but wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.

wholesome foods
the movie is wholesome family entertainment

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 healthful Along with a clean and healthful environment, the Montana Constitution also grants rights to pursuing life’s basic necessities, protecting liberties and protecting property. ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025 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 Cookbook author and recipe developer Stella Drivas is known for her indulgent but healthful recipes, most notably two-ingredient vegetable chips. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
Adjective
  • Potential Risks Okra water is generally safe for most healthy adults.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
  • But Prasad and Makary say the studies are needed to provide evidence that annual shots for healthy younger Americans are evidence-based.
    Michael Erman, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The win was the fifth in a row for Detroit and 20th in its last 28 games, and raised its division-leading record to 35-21, good for a .655 winning percentage.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
  • Final Thoughts If Chianti Classico once lived in the shadow of its own stereotypes—rustic or simple, a table wine for casual occasions—its best wines today reflect something far more compelling.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/healthful. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on healthful

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