SALUTARY Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'salutary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of salutary are healthful , salubrious , and wholesome . While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant. // a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

Q: When could 'healthful' be used to replace 'salutary'?

The synonyms healthful and salutary are sometimes interchangeable, but healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition. // a healthful diet

Q: When might 'salubrious' be a better fit than 'salutary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to salutary , salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air. // cool and salubrious weather

Q: In what contexts can 'wholesome' take the place of 'salutary'?

The words wholesome and salutary can be used in similar contexts, but wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually. // wholesome foods // the movie is wholesome family entertainment

salutary

adjective

ˈsal-yə-ˌter-ē

Definition of salutary

as in beneficial

promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being the low interest rates should have a salutary effect on business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in healthy

good for the health increasing scientific evidence that a glass of wine a day is quite salutary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective salutary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of salutary are healthful, salubrious, and wholesome. While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

When could healthful be used to replace salutary?

The synonyms healthful and salutary are sometimes interchangeable, but healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

When might salubrious be a better fit than salutary?

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

cool and salubrious weather

In what contexts can wholesome take the place of salutary?

The words wholesome and salutary can be used in similar contexts, 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 salutary But whether permanency has a salutary effect on the program is an important question that will be answered in the next couple of years, Brett Theodos of the Urban Institute said. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026 Trump’s announcement did have the salutary effect of placing the issue of financial services costs on the front burner, after its having languished for years. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026 The outlines of the Iranian Revolution of 1979 are already seared into the American psyche, but this spellbinding book adds fascinating texture and provides a salutary warning for policymakers today. — Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 If so, the decision will represent a salutary turn to judicial enforcement of limits on presidential power. — Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for salutary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for salutary

Adjective

Unlike tobacco, a static product with no real defensible qualities outside of recreation, consumer technology is ever evolving, and the lines between harmfully addictive and beneficial to society can be extremely blurry.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
Also, ants are a beneficial insect and may not even be harming your plants.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of beneficial

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

Adjective

In addition, environmental conditions are quite favorable for intensification while Edouard remains over water.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Officials, however, said favorable weather in the coming days could help in the battle to control the blazes.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of favorable

Adjective

Removable cushions make spot-cleaning easier which is especially helpful with kids, pets, snacks, or all of the above.

— Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Playing the helpful citizen, Martinez drove his literal truckload of ALPR bits directly to the Sheriff’s department, where he was promptly taken into custody.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of helpful

Adjective

As a more scientific understanding of germ theory took hold, the impetus became less medicinal, more practical, then pleasurable.

— Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
The problem is that the gap between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small and varies from one batch to the next.

— Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of medicinal

Adjective

This is not a medical spa and therefore there is no nutrition concept, but healthful snacks like fruit grown on property and nuts are available in the changing spaces, hydrotherapy zone and the relaxation rooms.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
As more people choose to stay in their homes longer, homeowners are looking for ways to create spaces that support and enhance healthful living with longevity in mind.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of healthful

Adjective

Rich in sodium chloride, bromine and iodine, the salubrious streams that bubble up from the depths of the lake now feed the SPA & Thermal Garden (previously known as Aquaria) complex, with infinity pools overlooking the waterbody.

— Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
The Austrian Southern Railway Company managers’ masterstroke was to promote Opatija as a spa town no less salubrious—and no less glamorous—than Nice, the prime destination for convalescents in the age of tuberculosis.

— Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026

Definition of salubrious

Browse Nearby Words

salubrious

salutary

salutation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Salutary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/salutary. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of salutary

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes