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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in masterfully

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindly

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smoothly

without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Bolsonaro's slate of congressional candidates also fared well, ensuring that Brazil will have one of the most conservative congresses in years, and a legislative branch aligned with Bolsonaro's goals, or ready to thwart Lula's agenda. — David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Before their arrests, Tal, 40, and Oren, 39, were best known for scaling New York’s luxury real estate industry. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Interjection

This seems like a perfectly reasonable debate/dialogue/deliberation to have without everybody--well, most bodies--running for the exits. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026 So on the Title IX front, and after the Dear Colleague letter from 2011, and the whole campus anti-rape movement that happened around that time — well, on the heels of that there was a really major backlash. — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

In December 2024, Hot Hands Sports landed two clients, only for that well to dry up five months later. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Just two years ago, in 2024, Schmidt and the Trades Council were on opposite sides of a different ballot measure proposal — one over an oil industry effort to repeal a law banning oil and gas wells from being drilled too close to parks and schools. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Adjective

During the memorial service, hundreds of students from Utumishi Girls Academy sang a somber hymn declaring that all shall be well. — ABC News, 12 June 2026 The detox helps remove build up from well water or any kind of minerals. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for well

Recent Examples of Synonyms for well

Adverb

Ungrafted vines give this vertical, saline energy, and the tannins are fine-grained.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
That would have worked out fine when Fochesato tried redeeming his Timeless Ticket for a potential World Series game in 2018, when the Brewers reached the NL Championship Series.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of fine

Adverb

Flexible work schedules, dedicated mental health resources and health insurance plans that include in-network specialists and generously cover preventive screenings and prescriptions can all help.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
In the 40 years since, every facet of Spacemen 3’s story has been turned over and generously embellished, resulting in an excess of grandeur and foresight projected onto the duo at the heart of it.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of generously

Adverb

The narrative winds in and out of time, masterfully jumping between past and future with no consideration to chronology.

— Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026
Ahluwalia x Puma Blending the designer’s Indian-Nigerian culture with Puma’s legendary sportswear designs, this partnership masterfully resulted in a colorful, chic athleisure capsule.

— Virginia Corneli, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

Ortega brings the right wide-eyed wonder to this kindly android that just wants to be Josie’s pal, having no idea about a secret medical condition that afflicts Josie.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Terrence split almost immediately, and Julianne deposited her small son on the Missouri farm of her Uncle Claude, a stoic, kindly old man.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of kindly

Adverb

After a frosty start Monday, temperatures will rebound nicely into the lower 70s.

— Steven Sosna, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Think earthy stone surfaces, deep woods, and sleek modern headboards juxtaposed with the kind of rustic, wooly blankets that would fit nicely into Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of nicely

Adverb

Making the comeback last Adapting to shoppers has not always gone smoothly.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of smoothly

Cite this Entry

Style

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of well

adverb

interjection

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Can you 'feel good'?

Yes, 'Welp' Is a Real Word

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of well

adverb

interjection

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing well

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to well

Can you 'feel good'?

Yes, 'Welp' Is a Real Word

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes