Salutary
adj.hopeful, thoughtfulformal
What it means
Producing a beneficial or healthful effect.
Reach for it when describing a beneficial effect, especially one that corrects, teaches, or prevents harm
The review had a salutary effect on safety practices.
Choose between these
8- warm
when something supports moral or physical well-being
not when Wholesome can sound moralizing or rustic.
- professional
when a positive effect is the plain claim
not when Beneficial lacks salutary's corrective or instructive shade.
- professional
when the effect helps improve future action
not when Constructive does not imply the lesson was uncomfortable.
- professional
corrective
when setting an error or imbalance right is central
not when Corrective can be punitive rather than beneficial.
- professional
when promoting physical health is precise
not when Healthful is narrower than social or corrective benefit.
- professional
remedial
when a measure corrects a deficiency
not when Remedial is narrower and can stigmatize people.
- formal
when practical benefit to a party is central
not when Advantage may be unfair or self-interested.
- formal
when the experience teaches a useful lesson
not when Instruction may be useful without improving conduct.
Said against
3- harmful
- detrimental
- pernicious
It naturally appears in
3- salutary effect
The failed drill had a salutary effect on emergency planning.
- salutary lesson
The near miss offered a salutary lesson about informal shortcuts.
- salutary reminder
The audit was a salutary reminder that trust requires verification.
Usage notes
Salutary often describes a beneficial lesson produced by an unpleasant event; it can sound insensitive when harm is still fresh.