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

Relevance

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 With about 250 books in the series (plus a live-action TV show on Netflix and a graphic novel series), there's an endless amount of wholesome adventures to relive with your own children. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 10 Apr. 2025 Her next ventures will undoubtedly continue to inspire wholesome games with cozy art. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025 Andor, the Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series that concluded this week, traveled far, far away from the generally wholesome and fantastical adventures of the Jedi. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025 Camping is a wholesome family activity that can teach your kids a lot about the Great Outdoors. —Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wholesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholesome
  1. healthy
  2. good
  3. well
  4. healthful
  5. robust
Adjective
  • This will enable you to see if the organization is financially healthy.
    — Maayan Aviv, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Gummed up Emulsifiers can be found in foods marketed as natural or healthy as well as ones that look artificial.
    — David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Definition of healthy
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
  • Newcomer Davante Adams, 32, and Puka Nacua, 25, will complement one another, giving the Rams their best veteran tandem at receiver since Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. fueled the Super Bowl-winning offense.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 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
  • For example, a suit in Montana targeted the state for failing to provide its residents with a healthful environment.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Allergy-Free Snacks To Pack for School Here are 15 allergy-free snacks that are healthful and free from the most common food allergens: Fresh fruit: Fresh fruit, like apples, clementines, and pears, is a safe snack for your child to bring to school.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of healthful
Adjective
  • There were decreases in cities with robust service organizations and some that have leaned more heavily on police.
    — Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
  • Sephora has effectively implemented this by building a robust online community.
    — Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
Definition of robust

Browse Nearby Words

wholesaling
wholesome
wholesomeness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on wholesome

Nglish: Translation of wholesome for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All