healthful

adjective

ˈhelth-fəl How to pronounce healthful (audio)
Definition of healthfulnext
as in healthy
beneficial to the health of body or mind one of the most healthful forms of exercise is a brisk walk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective healthful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of healthful are salubrious, salutary, and wholesome. While all these words mean "favorable to the health of mind or body," healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.

a healthful diet

When might salubrious be a better fit than healthful?

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

cool and salubrious weather

When can salutary be used instead of healthful?

The words salutary and healthful can be used in similar contexts, but salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.

a salutary warning that resulted in increased production

When is wholesome a more appropriate choice than healthful?

The synonyms wholesome and healthful are sometimes interchangeable, 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 healthful Food is creative and generally healthful, with plenty of veggie-forward options and lots of flavor. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Honey is the naturally sweet, healthful, old-as-time substance bees produce. — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 26 July 2026 The couple has a passion for healthful eating and taking care of the environment, providing for the land that provides for them, as Hakenah Hulitt put it. — Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Potatoes are generally considered a more healthful option than rice due to their lower calorie content and higher fiber, iron, potassium, and vitamin B6 content. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for healthful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for healthful
  1. healthy
  2. good
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
  • Best Amazon End-of-Season Patio Furniture Deals The end-of-season patio furniture deals at Amazon are too good to pass up.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Grichuk put a good swing on a slider while flying out to left field.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of good

Browse Nearby Words

health clubs
healthful
healthfulness
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Cite this Entry

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

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