WELFARE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

welfare

noun

ˈwel-ˌfer

Definition of welfare

as in interest

the state of doing well especially in relation to one's happiness or success the social worker was pleased at the improvement in the child's welfare

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 welfare In the year 2026, college athletics are all about athlete empowerment and welfare—think, stratospheric compensation in the form of name, image and likeness. — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026 More efficient and cheaper Cold spots in buildings tend to cause young chickens to cluster together for warmth, which can impact growth and welfare. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 And this was the most dramatic rewrite of those guidelines ever and embodied the consumer welfare hypothesis. — John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026 Breeds with structural health burdens, the brachycephalic group in particular, may face continued scrutiny from veterinarians and welfare groups. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for welfare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for welfare

Noun

The subject is of particular interest at CBS News, where Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has repeatedly encouraged the network’s journalists to dedicate serious resources to finding a potential link.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Trump told Congress that the pause was in the national interest but gave no further details.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of interest

Noun

But zest was one of just two strengths (the other is hope) that had the strongest relationship to mental well-being across countries and age groups.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Zachary Rutherford, the marathon’s official charity chaser, ran for Signal 13, a nonprofit that supports the physical, mental and emotional well-being of Baltimore police officers and their families.

— Vivian Yao, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of well-being

Noun

And listening to every chat were two experts in the science of happiness.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
Most of the new songs wrestle with how to seek pleasure while remaining hyperaware of the devastations of the world, and how that tension can make happiness itself feel like a vice.

— Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of happiness

Noun

The latest items in the line are inspired by the Trunk Edition men’s capsule collection launched last February, while leather goods nod to the 130th anniversary celebrations of the brand’s signature Monogram.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Since diesel is used to transport a broad range of goods as well as to harvest crops, its rising cost tends to trickle throughout the economy, boosting prices.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of good

Noun

And not all old things need to be torn down for the sake of Charlotte’s growth.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
Hopefully, for the Dodgers’ sake and for baseball’s, Ohtani and his team will see their way to a reasonable load management plan.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sake

Noun

But as Telemundo’s Andres Cantor notes, there is little reason to believe Messi’s aversion is anything other than a genuine personality quirk, and one that likely blunts his own total earnings and weal.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2026
Today’s Rwanda is based on the deceptively simple premise that common work makes common weal.

— Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024

Definition of weal

Noun

Speculators may play an important role in markets by contributing to liquidity, but success is measured over shorter time horizons and requires sophisticated risk management.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Over the course of 10 years, Vincent created more than 800 paintings and 700 drawings, desperately hoping for financial independence and commercial success.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of success

Browse Nearby Words

welds

welfare

welfare state

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/welfare. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of welfare

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on welfare

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes