HALE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hale 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhāl

Definition of hale

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

Adjective

The pope isn’t known to be a smoker and has made efforts to have a healthy lifestyle, but there is a history of cancer in his immediate family.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Because your husband should totally be your mentor, that’s a very healthy power dynamic!

— Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of healthy

Verb

On fourth-and-1 from the Indiana 38, Sayin launched a play-action pass toward the end zone, and Smith leaped over everyone else to haul it in for a 38-yard touchdown that put Ohio State up 19-7.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
After a brief exchange, officers hauled him into a police vehicle and drove away.

— Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of haul

Adjective

Meanwhile, earnings from AI chip suppliers like Taiwan Semiconductor indicate the broader demand environment remains robust.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Amphenol Another robust quarter ahead, analyst Wamsi Mohan, wrote earlier this week ahead of the electronic connector manufacturer's quarterly report.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of robust

Verb

Season 2 picks up from where things left off, with Michael and Diana having barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo’s death.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s spokesman denied Britain was being dragged in to the conflict.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of drag

Verb

That unexpected survival prompted SpaceX to engage in an ambitious recovery effort that included towing the 171-foot (52 meter) stage though rough seas over the course of 24 days.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The towing businesses owned by Salinas were named Supreme Towing, On Time Towing, and Greg's Towing and Recovery, according to investigators.

— Logan Smith, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of tow

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halcyon

hale

haled

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“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hale

adjective

verb

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Example Sentences

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The Words of the Week - Apr. 17

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