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
  • Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Higher benchmark yields can lift financing costs even for healthy companies, potentially making some factories, data centers, acquisitions and other investments less economically viable.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of healthy
Verb
  • More than 200 walruses were hauled out on the beach, grunting and groaning, wriggling and jostling for position.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Beckham lunged and tried to haul it in, but the ball bobbled incomplete.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 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
  • One of the resources pulled was the Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool, which was designed to capture information on cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, according to the outlet.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Moreno had previously put the club up for sale in August 2022 before pulling the team off the market five months later.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pull
Adjective
  • And during a second-quarter earnings call with analysts Thursday, Ulta Beauty CEO Kecia Steelman reported that K-beauty momentum continued, with robust double-digit growth in category sales compared to the same period last year.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Its celebrity pedigree is astonishing (spokespersons and fans include Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart, Andie MacDowell, Heidi Klum, etc), its offerings are robust, and many, if not most of its products, are five-star successes.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of robust
Verb
  • The playbook that drove the first $100 million starts to drag.
    — Doug May, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This occurs with minimal working capital drag, since fulfillment runs through pre-established pharmacy networks rather than capital-intensive durable equipment logistics.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of drag
Verb
  • Like Dorsainvil, Jozef is also supporting the family, which after Pierre’s death had to pay to tow his car from the highway.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The fire was put out by local firefighters before the Civic was towed away.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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