Definition of richnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rich distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rich are affluent, opulent, and wealthy. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

When would affluent be a good substitute for rich?

The words affluent and rich can be used in similar contexts, but affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When might opulent be a better fit than rich?

The words opulent and rich are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

When can wealthy be used instead of rich?

The meanings of wealthy and rich largely overlap; however, 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 rich Donations poured in from rich liberal enclaves and small rural communities. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026 Italy offers an unparalleled combination of natural beauty, a rich artistic and cultural heritage, and iconic global brands spanning fashion, design, and technology. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026 Oil prices have pulled back in recent days despite widening hostilities, as traders hope for a recovery in energy shipments from oil-rich Saudi Arabia. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026 Ahmed Soliman, an Egyptian national, and Samson Birhane from Eritrea are among over 40 people who have been deported by the United States to Equatorial Guinea, a small oil-rich state in central Africa. — Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rich
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rich
Adjective
  • Lee won his race after portraying Sosnick as a wealthy outsider with investments in fossil fuel companies such as Chevron and Valero.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Purchasing adjacent properties has become a popular strategy for celebrities and wealthy homebuyers in South Florida looking for space and privacy.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Instead, opt for fattier cuts, like chicken thighs, pork shoulders, or beef chuck, that become tender and flavorful over time.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If your goal is to get the most omega-3s, choose fattier fish like salmon.
    — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • By shifting more functionality into the target, FLARE is designed to enable a simpler, more robust driver, reducing component stress, maintenance and downtime.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Yet the overall foundation response to the current crisis continues to be much less robust than during the pandemic, even as endowments have generally grown in recent years due to the strong stock market.
    — Phil Buchanan, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The question proved fertile ground for a designer already known for making leather do unexpected and gorgeous things.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The fertile plains of Punjab are a world apart from the Appalachian Mountains, to which country music traces its roots.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Even here in the Dovners’ affluent apartment, there was no pretending.
    — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Rob Edwards helps affluent families preserve and grow their wealth while turning their Florida move into a strategic wealth advantage.
    — Rob Edwards, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • After running the gauntlet of crash barriers and hordes of fans, guests were treated to salty French fries and greasy burgers, with gin tonics and martinis to quench their thirst.
    — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Finally, buff off the excess oil with a clean, dry cloth until the surface no longer feels greasy or oily.
    — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Know More Baker’s remarks came amid concerns that advanced AI models could be turned into potent hacking tools, capable of finding and exploiting unknown security flaws with little human direction.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Pro) This is already a potent configuration in terms of memory—but especially memory bandwidth, more about which later.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Otherwise, the 59ers largely limited the Brickies’ prolific offense.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Just last night, San Sebastián awarded its most prestigious honor, the Donostia Award, to prolific German filmmaker Werner Herzog.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rich. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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