wholesome

[hohl-suhm] / ˈhoʊl səm /

ADJECTIVE

healthy, decent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

healthful hygienic pure

WEAK

all there beneficial clean edifying ethical exemplary fit good hale health-giving helpful honorable in fine feather in the pink innocent invigorating moral nice normal nourishing nutritious nutritive respectable restorative right righteous safe salubrious salutary sane sanitary sound strengthening together virtuous well worthy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

contaminated dirty

WEAK

bad impure indecent unhealthy unwholesome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The wholesome Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes have been taught in classrooms, crooned in karaoke bars and used in U.S.-China diplomacy for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

The Independent gave it the same score, calling Race Across the World "a wonderful source of escapism in uneasy times" and "the most wholesome show on TV".

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Earlier this month, while Cinco de Mayo revelers were swan-diving into pitchers of margaritas, a few dozen diners gathered in Brooklyn, N.Y., to celebrate a more wholesome annual rite: the arrival of ramp season.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

If the goal was to make Jackson’s proclivities look normal and wholesome, congratulations, “Michael” is a spectacular failure.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

I scolded him for it, but he argued quietly that it was very good and very wholesome; that it was life, strong life, and gave life to him.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Vocabulary lists containing wholesome

The Omnivore's Dilemma

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The War That Saved My Life

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Chew On This

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!