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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in generously
in a generous manner a warm and gracious host who always treats guests well

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in smoothly
without difficulty he can well afford to spare the time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

well

2 of 4

interjection

as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable well, that is odd!

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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

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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

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well

4 of 4

adjective

as in healthy
enjoying health and vigor my mother is quite well, thank you

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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
This year, nothing is working well — although the defense did turn in a gem for three quarters in the Week 3 loss at Buffalo, including five takeaways. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 But after playing so well throughout the game, the lack of support from the offense ultimately was too much to overcome. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026
Interjection
All’s well that ends well by the time the actors leave the stage. — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 Well – well – well, the – the – the president doesn't take orders from me. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
From Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore and Monica Bellucci to Julianne Moore, Naomi Campbell and Jerry Hall, the well of inspiration is endless. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026 In early July, nine days after the newsrooms’ investigation published, the Flying Monkey’s owner reported another leak in the well’s tubing. — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 5 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
  1. fine
  2. generously
  3. masterfully
  4. kindly
  5. nicely
  6. perfectly
  7. smoothly
  8. oh
Adverb
  • So far, Portugal seems to be doing fine without Ronaldo, with Ramos scoring again Thursday during a 4-2 win over Denmark.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At schools with a lot of poor students, teachers deprioritize the ones who are doing fine, at least in relation to, say, the kid whose sibling just died.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of fine
Adverb
  • Color, wallpaper, marble, mosaic, and Zellige tiling are used generously, but often in concentrated moments.
    — Amira Hashish, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The rooms Cool, spacious, and with color schemes that reflect the desertscape outside, the villas are generously sized (between 77 and 240 square meters) with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of generously
Adverb
  • 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
  • The Soundcore Select 4 Go pairs an adventure-proof IP67 design with exceptional 20-hour battery life masterfully.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of masterfully
Adverb
  • But as my husband observed and very kindly reminded me, many families here spend three or four uninterrupted holiday weeks together.
    — Brooke Black, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Cuban government, predictably, did not take the report’s suggestions kindly.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of kindly
Adverb
  • The amenities in the room are unmarked, in beautiful refillable containers, and have a natural, earthy scent that blends nicely with the environment.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Gia does seem to be settling nicely into her second stint as an NFL WAG, though.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nicely
Adverb
  • The more casual El Mercado has a traditional adobe oven from which meats and vegetables come out perfectly cooked.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The impact of Pickens' only two receptions in the 34-30 victory illustrates perfectly what coach Brian Schottenheimer believes about the Dallas offense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Adverb
  • The silver is especially concentrated around the front and crown, where her hair is swept smoothly back from her face.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The deodorants that made the cut applied smoothly without excessive residue or irritation and helped keep underarms feeling fresh throughout the day.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of smoothly
Interjection
  • Certain movements may aggravate the pain, such as, oh, swinging a golf club.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Definition of oh

Phrases Containing well

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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 9 Oct. 2026.

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