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
As Preferred Hotels & Resorts CEO Lindsey Ueberroth remarks, the initiative draws on insights from the brand’s 2025 Luxury Travel Report, which showed that most affluent travelers crave once-in-a-lifetime moments, particularly experiential travel curated by insiders. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025 This digital acceleration is driven by strong domestic demand, an influx of affluent international shoppers, high adoption of omnichannel experiences and the rapid growth of emerging categories like skin care. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 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
  • Of the more than five thousand tributaries that empty into the Great Lakes, about one in ten is infested with lampreys.
    Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
  • These ancient, natural waterways are former tributaries of the Rio Grande left behind hundreds to thousands of years ago when the river shifted its course.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The world outside me was big and rich with far more important and grave matters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Advertisement Mamdani’s political success is largely credited to a media-savvy campaign that centered affordability in one of the world’s most expensive cities, with Mamdani vowing to levy New York’s ultra-rich to pay for childcare, transportation, and even grocery stores.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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