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.

Their enduring appeal lies in simple melodies and wholesome, patriotic themes that deeply resonate with Chinese audiences.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 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

Even so, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” was and is sincere and wholesome, even moving at times.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

But how do you solve a problem like Alan Jay Lerner’s book, written for a sensibility markedly more wholesome than our own?

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

‘You need about nine and a half hours at your age, son. Pure, wholesome sleep.’

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

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!