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Meaning & use

salutary

adjective·Advancedformal

Last updated

UK/ˈsæljʊtri/
US/ˈsæljəˌteri/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Having a good effect, especially by teaching a lesson through something unpleasant.

    Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a salutary lesson, a salutary reminder.

    Patterns

    • a salutary lesson
    • a salutary reminder
    • salutary effect

    The failed exam was a salutary lesson about leaving things to the last minute.

    The accident served as a salutary reminder to wear a helmet.

    Losing the match had a salutary effect on the team.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounold-fashioned

    Good for the health or well-being.

    Grammar: Dated sense for healthy things: salutary air.

    The doctor recommended the salutary air of the coast.

    A salutary walk each morning improved his mood.

Word forms

comparativemore salutary
superlativemost salutary

Common combinations

salutary lesson
The fine was a salutary lesson for the company.
salutary reminder
The storm was a salutary reminder of nature's power.
salutary effect
The warning had a salutary effect on his behaviour.
salutary warning
The story offers a salutary warning about greed.
salutary experience
Living abroad was a salutary experience.

Synonyms and how they differ

beneficial
Beneficial is a neutral word for anything helpful, while salutary suggests the benefit comes through something unpleasant.
instructive
Instructive just means teaching something, while salutary suggests a corrective, sobering lesson.
wholesome
Wholesome means good for body or character in a pleasant way, while salutary may involve discomfort.
chastening
Chastening stresses humbling someone, while salutary stresses the useful result.

Opposites

harmfuldetrimental

Word family

salute verb
to greet or honour with a formal gesture
salutation noun
a greeting
salubrious adjective
healthy or pleasant to live in
salutarily adverb
in a way that gives a useful lesson

Commonly confused: salutary or salutatory? salutary or salubrious?

salutary vs salutatory

Salutatory relates to a greeting, as in a salutatory address; salutary means beneficial.

salutary vs salubrious

Salubrious describes healthy places and conditions; salutary describes helpful lessons.

Practice

Missing the deadline was a ____ lesson that taught him to plan ahead.

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