Definition of opulentnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word opulent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of opulent are affluent, rich, and wealthy. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Where would affluent be a reasonable alternative to opulent?

While the synonyms affluent and opulent are close in meaning, affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When can rich be used instead of opulent?

While in some cases nearly identical to opulent, rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

When is wealthy a more appropriate choice than opulent?

The words wealthy and opulent can be used in similar contexts, but 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 opulent The Getty Suite speaks for itself with its throne-like chairs, opulent tapestries, carved rose wooden ceiling and connecting door into the Medici Suite (CH) where Getty put up some of his mistresses. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2026 Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, meanwhile, danced the night away dolce vita–style at the opulent Villa Valguarnera mansion in Sicily, according to Vanity Fair. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 July 2026 All of which is to say, there’s significant industry as well as affluence throughout the city—shiny downtown high-rises, luxury hotels, opulent restaurants, grand mansions dotting the Lake Washington shoreline. Sara Harowitz, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 Elsewhere, the entertaining spaces are equally opulent. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for opulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opulent
Adjective
  • Sonya had married a man from a wealthy family but had quickly learned that none of the family money was hers.
    Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • The only Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach county candidates who reported taking in more cash in the quarter are wealthy candidates who are pouring millions of dollars of their own money into their efforts to get to Congress.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • International flights often carry a high premium compared with domestic routes — and the planes serving them generally have more luxurious seats on board.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 19 July 2026
  • Kidman, who recently celebrated her 59th birthday, ensured Antonia’s 55th birthday celebration was one for the books with a luxurious stop in Portofino.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Adjective
  • Watson joins a rich constellation of auteurs who have previously presided over the Sarajevo jury in past editions, including Mike Leigh, Jeremy Irons, Asghar Farhadi, Ruben Östlund, and Mia Wasikowska.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026
  • Quinoa is also rich in fiber, as well as magnesium, iron, folate, and potassium, per Zinn.
    Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • At the end of the fifth group, one girl’s face blossomed into a radiant flower, and another drew herself with luxuriant pigtails, standing beneath a bright red beating heart.
    James Gordon, Time, 14 July 2026
  • Daniel Mendelsohn, the most recent translator of the Odyssey, preserves that scheme, writing a detailed, luxuriant, often beautiful line.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • But there is a world of difference between that and very affluent people who pay full freight at private universities.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 20 July 2026
  • The chain on Thursday opened its first location in Mexico, with a storefront in San Pedro Garza García, an affluent suburb of Monterrey.
    Emily Heil, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • The goal is to have passengers see air travel not as a commodity so much as a quasi-luxury experience.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 19 July 2026
  • Simon Deen, founder of Simon Deen Real Estate, believes that’s what separates the residence from many of London’s ultra-luxury apartments.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is the first time Dry Cleaning have released a deluxe version of any of their albums.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
  • My deluxe studio was an entry-level accommodation, with the green and blue color palate that all of the rooms employed to reflect the natural themes of the resort.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • Rather than building every lavish living room and sweeping residence on a soundstage, productions often turn to real-life properties that help define their characters and set the tone.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
  • The shoreline is like the Hamptons, rich folks and lavish houses, but the on the dangerous mountain face above is the ghetto.
    Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opulent. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on opulent

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