HALE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hale 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhāl

Definition of hale

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

Adjective

Asians generally have longer life expectancies than those outside the region—but longer lives aren’t the same as healthier ones.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Her looks often incorporated classic country motifs like cowboy hats or bell-bottom jeans, though usually made Dolly-appropriate with a healthy helping of sparkles and vibrant hues.

— Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of healthy

Verb

Pratt fouled off Thornton’s first pitch and then pulled back his bat on the second one, a fastball right down the middle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Washington has turned to pulling economic levers six months into a war on Iran that has ground to a stalemate militarily, with peace talks stalled and most traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz blocked.

— Tucker Reals, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pull

Adjective

In recognition of their robust potential and need for more support, Sanfic Industria, the industry section of the Santiago Film Festival (Sanfic), launched the Queer Incubator in 2025.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
However, North Carolina’s community college system, low corporate tax rate, robust logistics infrastructure, and site location ultimately tipped the scales in Davie County’s favor.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of robust

Verb

The filing says a witness reported seeing a gray GMC Denali towing a box trailer containing people, including children.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
As the big rig and trailer were being towed from the area, officials said the truck was compromised, causing about 75 gallons of diesel fuel to spill and the westbound side of the freeway to close.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of tow

Browse Nearby Words

halcyon

hale

haled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hale. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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adjective

verb

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Example Sentences

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