WELL Synonyms: 504 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'well' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of well are hale , healthy , robust , sound , and wholesome . While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," well implies merely freedom from disease or illness. // she has never been a well person

Q: When could 'hale' be used to replace 'well'?

While the synonyms hale and well are close in meaning, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age. // still hale at the age of eighty

Q: Where would 'healthy' be a reasonable alternative to 'well'?

Although the words healthy and well 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 'well'?

The words robust and well are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly. // a lively, robust little boy

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sound' instead of 'well'?

In some situations, the words sound and well are roughly equivalent. However, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction. // a sound heart

Q: When would 'wholesome' be a good substitute for 'well'?

While in some cases nearly identical to well , wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance. // a face with a wholesome glow

well 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of well

as in fine

in a satisfactory way our current system for dividing household chores works well, so let's keep it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in generously

in a generous manner a warm and gracious host who always treats guests well

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner she plays the piano very well

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindly

with good reason or courtesy we cannot well get out of going to your cousin's wedding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nicely

in a pleasing way the day went well, despite the rough beginning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in perfectly

to a full extent or degree we are well aware that this home renovation is going to be costly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smoothly

without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh

how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable well, that is odd!

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well

3 of 4

noun

ˈwel

as in source

a point or place at which something is invented or provided his quirkily dysfunctional family proved to be a bottomless well of inspiration for the novelist

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as in pool

a small often deep body of water the spot where the spring bubbles up to the surface and forms a deep well

Synonyms & Similar Words

well

4 of 4

adjective

as in healthy

enjoying health and vigor my mother is quite well, thank you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word well distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of well are hale, healthy, robust, sound, and wholesome. While all these words mean "enjoying or indicative of good health," well implies merely freedom from disease or illness.

she has never been a well person

When could hale be used to replace well?

While the synonyms hale and well are close in meaning, hale applies particularly to robustness in old age.

still hale at the age of eighty

Where would healthy be a reasonable alternative to well?

Although the words healthy and well 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 well?

The words robust and well are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly.

a lively, robust little boy

When is it sensible to use sound instead of well?

In some situations, the words sound and well are roughly equivalent. However, sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction.

a sound heart

When would wholesome be a good substitute for well?

While in some cases nearly identical to well, 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 well

Adverb

Those tests should reveal how well the modular architecture performs once individual components operate as part of a complete launcher. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Libra September 23 – October 22 A relationship works better when your needs enter the room early. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Interjection

One of my biggest pet peeves is when flats dig into the back of my ankles, but these flexible slip-ons fit, well, like a glove, never feeling tight or constricting. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 Season five focuses on the calm before the storm — well, as calm as MomTok can be. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson asked Edwards to present himself in the well of the chamber as the censure resolution was read aloud. — John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 The companies that handle this well will still use powerful models. — Erum Manzoor, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The detox helps remove build up from well water or any kind of minerals. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 Get well Dodger friend and may God bless you and your family. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for well

Recent Examples of Synonyms for well

Adverb

And this mission suits Lamb just fine, because IPC also owns the Daily Mirror, and Lamb is out for revenge against his employers for not promoting him.

— Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
On the plus side, the viewing angle is pretty wide at 178 degrees, so even four people wide, taking turns playing games, will all see the screen just fine.

— Joe Salas August 28, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Adverb

Scatter the olives and pistachios over, season generously with Aleppo pepper and a couple of pinches of flaky salt, and finish it off with one last shiny drizzle of oil.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Durant's Steakhouse At Durant’s Steakhouse in Phoenix, the Chef’s Cut Hanging Bacon at Durant’s begins with premium, generously thick cut Colorado Farms bacon, hand cut each day by master butchers.

— Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of generously

Adverb

Turning for home, jockey Manny Franco masterfully guided Leading Change off the rail and into the clear outside the still leading Napoleon.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Yet Parton masterfully stayed out of every fight in the culture wars, preaching love, philanthropy, mentorship and tolerance until her dying breath.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

As for Apple, Amazon and Sony, all three companies have strong technology businesses in addition to theatrical and streaming content, which may align nicely with Imax's tech-heavy business.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
None of this would worry me if the systems failed loudly, but a model out of its depth returns fluent, confident and nicely formatted text that happens to be wrong.

— Faisal Saeed, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of nicely

Adverb

The table then stows away, and the bench cushions rearrange to create a side-facing love seat positioned perfectly for viewing the drop-down projection screen just above the entryway.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
On the plus side, Ritchson and Wilson display a winning chemistry, their contrasting physicality and acting styles working perfectly for their characters.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of perfectly

Adverb

In moderate traffic conditions, BlueCruise executes all of the above smoothly and predictably without requiring driver input.

— Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
For a precision folding bike where millimeter-perfect alignment dictates how smoothly the hinges open and close, keeping the metal perfectly straight is a manufacturing advantage.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of smoothly

Cite this Entry

Style

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of well

adverb

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noun

adjective

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