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
The ad’s framing also conveniently ignores abuse that occurs in middle-class and affluent homes. Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025 Introspective and surprising, with a murder mystery in the middle of the narrative, the series scrutinizes some of society’s most affluent while putting their most broken and deplorable qualities on full display. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
The current credit card system essentially functions as a private tax collection mechanism, extracting billions from the real economy to fund rewards programs that primarily benefit the affluent. Justin Grooms, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024 The homes of the affluent stood out as the landscape rushed by. Sheikh Saaliq, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for affluent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
Adjective
  • With regard to military aircraft and civilian transport, faster is generally better, and governments and wealthy individuals are prepared to pay for it.
    Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Ten miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, tucked into the lush, green hills of Marin County, Mill Valley is an idyllic place to live — for those who are wealthy and liberal.
    Heather Knight, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the vast network of rivers and tributaries that make up the Pearl River Basin in southern China, the water is naturally filtered by living creatures.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Grimes Creek is a tributary of Mores Creek, which is a tributary of the Boise River.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Aruba is culturally rich, with diverse ethnicities and dialects, including one of their native languages, Papiamentu, a common creole language spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 1 May 2025
  • These regions are often rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and scientists usually spot them with radio telescopes that detect carbon monoxide.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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