affluent 1 of 2

affluent

2 of 2

noun

as in tributary
a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Nipigon and the St. Louis rivers are affluents of Lake Superior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affluent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of affluent are opulent, rich, and wealthy. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When could opulent be used to replace affluent?

The synonyms opulent and affluent are sometimes interchangeable, but opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

When is rich a more appropriate choice than affluent?

The words rich and affluent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

When can wealthy be used instead of affluent?

Although the words wealthy and affluent have much in common, wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

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 affluent
Adjective
For the second time in two months, a body has been recovered from the base of the steep cliffs that line one of Southern California’s most affluent coastal communities. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Limited inventory and steady demand in the affluent Santa Barbara County enclave of Montecito have pushed home prices up $1 million over the past five years, the real estate site said. Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
It’s become a playground for the affluent, and that’s exactly what the current business model is built around. Ashley J. Dimella , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025 On that note, the ACRC survey reported that 52% of affluents were disappointed with the options presented by luxury brands. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affluent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
Adjective
  • Now, Waltz steps into the shoes of Henrich Harlander, a powerful and wealthy arms dealer who funds Victor's dangerous experiments.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • As the high-end market booms, developers focus on luxury condos to meet the demand of wealthy investors — sometimes from outside Florida — and lower-income families are priced out.
    Deena Sabry, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • This practice had its own history, another tributary to the overshoot conjuncture that weighed heavily on its future course.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • To date, this and other restoration efforts have helped to restore oyster reefs across nearly 1,800 acres in ten different tributaries to the bay.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently projected Suárez would sign a massive five-year, $135 million deal in free agency this winter, which would almost certainly be too rich for the Phillies' liking.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The pay package for Musk, already the world's richest person, consists of 12 tranches of shares to be granted if Tesla hits certain milestones over the next decade.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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