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

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
Toph Beifong is the daughter of an affluent family in the Earth Kingdom city. Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026 The Skakels were not merely affluent neighbors. Kate Casey, Vanity Fair, 2 June 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
  • Although not as wealthy as Jackson, Jones has also dug deep into his own pockets to keep his campaign afloat, lending it more than $16 million from his family’s fortune.
    Shannon McCaffrey, AJC.com, 10 June 2026
  • And while organizers worried in 1994 about empty seats because of a lack of American fans, this year fans complain that high ticket costs are making the games affordable only for the ultra wealthy.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • The water, too, was wild—the Allegheny and its tributaries had yet to be dammed, and Flag Swamp was noted as one of the last hideouts for beavers in the state.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • The Blue River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which is a main source of drinking water for the region.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Visitors to New Castle, Delaware, are greeted by cobblestone streets, alleys, dense urbanism and rich history.
    Staff, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • Maryland’s identity is intertwined with the luminous blue crab, which builds up fat reserves in the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay during winter hibernation, giving it a bold, rich flavor.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on affluent

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster