as in successful
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Recent Examples of better-off
Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson housing projects were built and black folks settled in, dreaming of moving in with their better-off cousins who lived near Lenox Avenue.
—
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
When New York boldly expanded free preschool a decade ago, classroom quality climbed mostly in better-off neighborhoods, failing to lift poor children.
—Bruce Fuller, Oc Register, 27 Dec. 2025
The pumpkin would most likely have been stewed, possibly with meat, but pies reflected British heritage and were a common staple in better-off households.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Japan was in a deep recession, but Uniqlo kept growing, offering bargains for the struggling masses and discretion for better-off consumers in an era that frowned upon conspicuous consumption.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Poorer school districts could also struggle to access the latest AI technology, widening the gap with areas that are better-off, Robin Lake, director of Arizona State University’s Center on Reinventing Public Education, told CNN.
—Nic F. Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 1870s, workers and domestic servants were still living close to their employers in back alleys and compounds behind the homes of the better-off.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 May 2025
The proportion already in private schools dipped from 70% in 2023-24 – reflecting the first year of eligibility for better-off families – to 30%.
—Leslie Postal, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025
Millennials are also better-off financially than boomers were at the same age.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
When New York boldly expanded free preschool a decade ago, classroom quality climbed mostly in better-off neighborhoods, failing to lift poor children.
—Bruce Fuller, Oc Register, 27 Dec. 2025
The pumpkin would most likely have been stewed, possibly with meat, but pies reflected British heritage and were a common staple in better-off households.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Japan was in a deep recession, but Uniqlo kept growing, offering bargains for the struggling masses and discretion for better-off consumers in an era that frowned upon conspicuous consumption.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Poorer school districts could also struggle to access the latest AI technology, widening the gap with areas that are better-off, Robin Lake, director of Arizona State University’s Center on Reinventing Public Education, told CNN.
—Nic F. Anderson, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
In the 1870s, workers and domestic servants were still living close to their employers in back alleys and compounds behind the homes of the better-off.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 May 2025
The proportion already in private schools dipped from 70% in 2023-24 – reflecting the first year of eligibility for better-off families – to 30%.
—Leslie Postal, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025
Millennials are also better-off financially than boomers were at the same age.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better-off
Adjective
-
The previous year, the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker had four successful field goals during his team’s 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The artist used a unique short video to tease the album on social media before its release, symbolizing Cole's status as a successful artist who still enjoys many of the same tasks and experiences as average Americans.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Democratic turnout surpassed expectations in the affluent and well-educated suburban district, outpacing the number of party loyalists who voted in the regular 2024 congressional primary.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lil Jon has announced that his missing son, Nathan Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, has died after a body was discovered in a pond near Smith’s home in an affluent Georgia town.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
New York's new socialist mayor wants to tax corporations and wealthy New Yorkers to finance the city's $12 billion budget deficit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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When wealthy velvet magnate Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif) moves in next door, at opulent Thrushcross Grange, Cathy awkwardly introduces herself, Edgar becomes smitten and his young ward Isabella (Alison Oliver) loves having a new girl friend.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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On the other hand, especially given that the vote was still restricted to only a small minority of propertied men, the rise of party politics itself sharpened the age-old mistrust of popular judgment as irrational and easily swayed—especially by lies.—
Fara Dabhoiwala,
Harpers Magazine,
4 June 2025
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No one could vote except propertied, head-of-household men.—
Emily McDermott,
ARTnews.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Even in the best of times, the film’s main characters weren’t prosperous.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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These and thousands of other BLS statistics describe a society that has grown more prosperous, and a workforce endlessly adaptive to change.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nancy Guthrie spent Saturday night eating dinner and playing games with family members before one of them dropped her off at her home in a well-to-do Tucson neighborhood that sits on hilly, desert terrain, the sheriff said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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The bourgeois Alban can’t handle the thought of his well-to-do neighbors seeing members of his own family on the street looking for work.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The first steps toward a culture course correction are to create an opportunity in which everybody feels comfortable communicating with each other.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Vivaia is known for its comfortable, sustainable footwear, with mesh-style uppers and fun designs and colors.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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During last year’s outbreak in Texas, there was a substantial proportion of cases in adults older than 20, Moss says.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
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During that hearing, BGE lobbyist Brittany Jones indicated that a substantial number of the company’s employees could come under the purview of the bill, because its broad definition of compensation included not only wages, but bonuses and other benefits.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Better-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better-off. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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