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
The study also found greater access to green spaces among residents in more affluent communities than in underserved communities. Cbs La Staff, CBS News, 6 May 2026 The affluent consumer, its core constituency, is thriving. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 May 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
  • However, when combined with broader tax regimes, these tax policies may contribute to gradual shifts in where ultra-wealthy individuals allocate assets, particularly toward lower-tax jurisdictions.
    Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 12 May 2026
  • Questions persist about whether a billionaire candidate can effectively represent and prioritize the interests of working-class voters, with concerns that billionaires as a demographic cannot be trusted to champion non-wealthy citizens’ concerns in political leadership.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • The dirt-only diamond was loamy and soft and home plate was totally submerged in a muddy puddle, a tributary of which also snaked down the third-base line.
    Chang-rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
  • The simple gym room is equipped with an elliptical, a couple treadmills, and weight-lifting systems, all with views of a glistening tributary of the Cubango River that flows through the property.
    Samantha Falewée, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Here, this translates as an exuberance of bread, meat and dairy, rich and fortifying.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • That’s rich — like the pot calling the kettle black.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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