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 Nearly a century later, The Boca Raton, which houses five resorts and all the amazing amenities that come with them, has undergone a sweeping reimagination, unveiling a $375 million transformation that honors Mizner’s opulent aesthetic while refreshing every corner for modern luxury travelers. Katie Lara, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 The Mandarin Oriental is a luxury hotel chain that prides itself on its traditional, opulent aesthetic and extravagant accommodations. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2025 Lexus' full-size hybrid SUV manages to provide an opulent driver and passenger experience while still boasting the off-road capability that many large Toyota and Lexus SUVs have become known for in the past few decades. Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025 The landscapes of southernmost Louisiana pair opulent biodiversity with postapocalyptic desolation. Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opulent
Adjective
  • For perspective, the net worth of the seven wealthiest people in the world--all AI luminaries including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang--exceeds $2 trillion, close to the GDP of Canada.
    Martine Paris, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In a recent interview with The School of Hard Knocks, a popular social-media channel known for interviewing wealthy entrepreneurs, Repole shared his contrarian view on entrepreneurship, emphasizing the brutal realities that most success stories gloss over.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the case of the wife in the viral TikTok video, the Maldives—often cited among the world's most luxurious honeymoon destinations—was a total surprise.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Besides, what feels more luxurious than slipping into a five-star hotel robe and slippers?
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to grape stem cells, the fast-absorbing spray includes caffeine and antioxidant-rich arugula leaf extract to help keep fallout at bay.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Key Takeaways Chia seed pudding is rich in fiber and omega-3s, which support satiety, digestion, and heart health.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With only 22 residences, this ultra-luxury property is intimate in scale.
    Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • In 2022, a Chenequa house on the opposite side of the lake sold for $15 million as part of a post-pandemic ultra-luxury home boom in Wisconsin.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The radical left of the 1960s and ’70s was overwhelmingly populated by college students, many of them affluent, being taught by America’s elite educators.
    Michael Graham, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Burton said smaller and less affluent countries showcase their land conservation and environmental protection strategies too.
    Joan Michelson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond it is a three-hectare haven of silvery olive trees, luxuriant Washingtonia palms, and lawns where peacocks wander freely.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Meanwhile, a beard provided a simpler solution: a luxuriant facial covering requiring only the occasional scissor trim—no barber necessary.
    Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • The summer of 2025 was essentially a deluxe version of 2022.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • As the drinks flow during a gathering of faculty and PhD students at their deluxe digs, Alma’s doting husband Frederick (Michael Stuhlbarg), another shrink, teasingly asks what happens if one of them gets tenure and the other doesn’t.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The company also struck a distribution deal last year for its screenplay books, lavish tomes immortalizing A24’s most successful scripts, which are now available in bookstores around the world.
    Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The reveal came courtesy of renowned car dealer Landlord Jack, who showcased the vehicle and Kash Doll’s lavish gesture in a video shared online.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Opulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opulent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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