affluent 1 of 2

Definition of affluentnext

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

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
Edwards said Hickman Mills was once one of the city’s most affluent communities, but decades of disinvestment has led to a lack of new development in south Kansas City, highlighted by the closure of Bannister Mall and plans for a Cerner campus that didn’t come to full fruition. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026 With another labor war and the looming threat of a 2027 work stoppage casting a dark cloud over Major League Baseball, the affluent Dodgers have become the pro-salary cap crowd’s poster child for all that is wrong with the sport. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
The conventional wisdom sees meager job growth as largely a result of immigration restrictions and demographics, disconnected from still-healthy GDP-tracking models that capture urgent capex levels and free spending by the affluent. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025 But only once has the mercantile danced with the affluent to such sensuous effect in the realm of fiction. JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affluent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
Adjective
  • Other Pittsburgh connections to Forbes' list Pittsburgh natives David Tepper and Mark Cuban were on Forbes' latest ranking of the world's wealthiest people.
    Michael Guise, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Despite concerns about wealthy New Yorkers fleeing our city, the real exodus is happening in the middle.
    Gary LaBarbera, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • All of western Colorado relies on water from the river and its tributaries.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Since launching Delfin in 2006, Urteaga has worked hand in hand with Amazonian communities, primarily those within the Marañón and Ucayali river systems and their tributaries, to create a two-way dialogue between travelers and those who call the area home.
    Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The cliffside lodge offers a front row view of one of the most biologically rich places on the planet, UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve near South Africa’s border with Zimbabwe.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Lucky for you, Ortega’s exact carryall is on sale now, along with a range of other rich-girl purses from $84.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 8 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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