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Definition of wellnext
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well

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interjection

well

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noun

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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

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adjective

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

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

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

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
Johnson was already well aware of Wilkins’ intensity. Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026 Vacation bottled up the cult-favorite scent of their body SPF into a best-selling airy eau de toilette—and best-selling isn’t an understatement, with 38K glowing Amazon reviews. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2026
Interjection
Oh, well, the beat goes on for Mick Fleetwood, who has gotten married for the fifth time. Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026 In addition to having more time to craft thoughtful responses, this also gives you more time to, well, live your life! Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
The 2nd edition dangled a Picasso oil painting, Nature Morte (1921), which went to a young Italian man (or rather, his mother; the lottery ticket was her Christmas gift), and raised $6 million for wells and sanitation improvements in Cameron, Madagascar, and Morocco. Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026 Estimating methane from a reservoir is trickier than measuring plumes from natural gas wells or landfills, scientists say. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Its jet-drive propulsion system, when deployed, creates thrust by accelerating well fluids via an impeller unit, which moves the probe through the wellbore. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025 Across the country—and especially in the South—plans are well in the works for Thanksgiving meals that will both satisfy and delight guests. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for well
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well
Adverb
  • And Kuwait can make jet fuel just fine — but can't send it anywhere.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Between meals at the property’s four restaurants—including a fine-dining destination and a rooftop with sweeping city views—there are endless activities to take part in.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The program is generously supported by the Chapman University College of Performing Arts and Segerstrom Center for the Arts, with additional support from Arts Orange County and individual donors.
    Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Marry, have children, and provide for them; attend church on Sundays, find your moral footing, and give generously to a community that shares your values.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • Nurse Dana—competent, underpaid, indispensable, and increasingly aware of her own leverage—isn’t a supporting character, as masterfully played by the Emmy-winning Katherine LaNasa.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
  • This contemporary-style home masterfully bridges the indoor and outdoor living experiences.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The last quarter moon is actually a good time to bring up your concerns – kindly.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
  • At night double cleanse using a separate makeup remover (wipes are great) to kindly but thoroughly get makeup and sunscreen off and out of pores.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The whole thing is so confusing that readers are likely to forget who’s who and what each has done, but Ernest draws it all together nicely.
    Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Mother Mary strutted to a solid limited opening as The Christophers expanded nicely and Exit 8 kept going.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • Quilted jackets layer perfectly over long sleeves, short sleeves, light sweaters, and even dresses.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Of course, that doesn’t mean that any eventual peace deal will perfectly balance the victors’ and vanquished’s demands.
    Philippe Welti, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The bias cut drapes smoothly, and the mocha dot print (my favorite option) adds a subtle statement without feeling too loud.
    Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Addressing these early helps prevent avoidable friction and keeps daily life running smoothly.
    Mark Travers, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The draft footprint itself, including both sides of the Allegheny River, can only hold a little more than a football stadium, the source said, roughly 80,00 to 90,000 people.
    Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Ahead of its release, Humberstone sat down with PEOPLE to discuss her source of inspiration.
    Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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