well 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of wellnext
1
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
2
as in generously
in a generous manner a warm and gracious host who always treats guests well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner she plays the piano very well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
5
as in nicely
in a pleasing way the day went well, despite the rough beginning

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
7
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 How to pronounce well (audio)
1
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
2
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

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
The American startup’s chatbots are banned in mainland China, and Goldman’s move suggests US AI firms could increasingly treat Hong Kong as off-limits as well, the Financial Times reported. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026 On the eastern edge of the state, Sioux Falls is best known for Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River spills over wide stretches of pink quartzite rock. —Midwest Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Interjection
David Mackenzie’s Fuze kicks off in comically rapid-fire fashion, with brief, interrupted shots of various characters discovering … well, something. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 The actor is all-in on this one, so if this sounds like your kind of nightmare, well, go for it. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
The report does not cover private well water, which is not regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026 The well had been well used for the kitchen and the cattle. —Literary Hub, 23 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
  1. fine
  2. generously
  3. masterfully
  4. kindly
  5. nicely
  6. perfectly
  7. smoothly
  8. source
Adverb
  • Blueprint also was sued in January 2025 by New York’s Workers’ Compensation Board for failing to pay a $22,000 fine related to the company not carrying workers’ compensation insurance.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The Braves are doing just fine, thank you, with their current roster.
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of fine
Adverb
  • The Rooms Designed by Bernardi + Peschard Arquitectura, the 86 generously sized rooms and villas, plus the five-bedroom presidential suite and 34 residences, all use local stone, handwoven details, and natural wood that nod to the region’s Indigenous people.
    — Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
  • It’s stuffed generously with squash that had been roasted with coffee.
    — Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of generously
Adverb
  • The album is full of strange, brilliant contradictions; Oklou slides masterfully between fun and eccentricity, pump and pathos.
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The service in Serra was efficient and personable, while in The Eagle Bar, our mixologist masterfully walked the line between professional and cheeky, giving us a sense of real ease.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adverb
  • The co-host and her husband Mark Consuelos had Nikki Glaser on their daytime show on Wednesday, April 22, and seconds into the interview, Ripa kindly pointed out that the comedian's briefs were showing on-air, as seen in a clip shared by Decider.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Twenty-five regular-season matches will follow, and Major League Soccer’s kindly playoff format admits 18 of 30 teams.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of kindly
Adverb
  • Our lunches were also always served or packed nicely with cloth placemats, napkins, and silverware.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
  • But if things unfold as nicely in 2027 as well as Gang Green’s haul seemed to go this year, then New York should actually be a legitimate playoff contender by 2028 … or so.
    — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of nicely
Adverb
  • Her racial ambiguity was perfectly calibrated to an era in which brands were clamoring to amplify their social-media presence by appealing to as many audiences as possible.
    — T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Greenard perfectly fit defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ system.
    — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Adverb
  • While Sunset Boulevard appeared busier than usual, traffic there continued to flow smoothly for most drivers.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • December 22 – January 19 A simple change today makes everything work more smoothly.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of smoothly
Noun
  • Bo Erickson | Reuters A source who was attending the event, and was briefed by Secret Service after the shooting, told CNBC’s Eamon Javers that a man with a shotgun had approached metal detectors and was shot by Secret Service agents.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2026
  • David Rubenstein, principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles, was also among the guests, sources told Candy Woodall of Spotlight on Maryland.
    — Bridget Byrne, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of source

Phrases Containing well

Browse Nearby Words

welkins
well
well-adjusted
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Cite this Entry

“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of well for Spanish Speakers

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