RICH Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rich

adjective

ˈrich

Definition of rich

as in wealthy

having goods, property, or money in abundance you would have to be quite rich to be able to afford a home in that neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fatty

containing much seasoning, fat, or sugar stay away from rich foods before you sing tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in robust

having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) rich wines complemented the meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fertile

producing abundantly rich farmland

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The most common theory is that someone, and probably someone rich, seeks to improve their view of the lake in a monstrous and underhanded fashion, leaving both the trees and the town’s beach-goers as collective victims. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 By Rick Steves Rick Steves’ Europe With a rich culture, friendly people, affordable prices, and a salty setting on the edge of Europe, Portugal understandably makes a rewarding destination for travelers. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026 The Seahawks deal reflects the expanding revenue multiples that investors are willing to pay for entry into the world’s richest sports league. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026 McKinsey has found the same divide showing up in valuations, with top-quartile net-retention performers commanding far richer revenue multiples than the bottom quartile. — Abhishek Yadav, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rich

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rich

Adjective

On the other hand, it has also been credited for keeping the US economy humming, as wealthier Americans keep spending and businesses keep hiring.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
In contrast, colleges that husbanded big endowments from wealthy alumni could rely on income from these assets to finance much of their college operations; tuition has been less important and can be waived for high-achieving prospective students.

— Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of wealthy

Adjective

That means, at minimum, heavy cream contains double the fat content of the fattiest half-and-half on the market.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Among the richest sources are fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and tuna, as well as marine algae and seafood such as oysters.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 29 June 2026

Definition of fatty

Adjective

The first crucial step is robust risk management, preventing liabilities from arising.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The robust gains and lack of safety concerns led the Food and Drug Administration to approve Regeneron’s Otarmeni therapy in April for the small group of people with this rare genetic mutation.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of robust

Adjective

By menopause – which typically happens between the ages of 45 and 55 – the remaining eggs are not fertile.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
There are fields of white silence, fertile ground for the imagination to shift them around, find matches or mismatches, wonder about sequences or connections.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fertile

Adjective

Luxury resort Fontainebleau, approaching its third anniversary, is strategically positioned to cater to this affluent audience.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The findings were consistent across the city’s older urban core — in the historically Black neighborhoods north of downtown, the predominantly Hispanic areas to the south and the more white and affluent areas in midtown.

— Chris Bowling, ProPublica, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of affluent

Adjective

That means my greasy microfiber cloths do get washed with my cotton drying towels, along with oven mitts, linen napkins, and the seat pads for my counter stools (my kids somehow manage to trash them every week).

— Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
In response, Diez brought up Schaeffler’s plant in South Carolina, where Digit is working right now, loading greasy machine parts into an industrial washer.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of greasy

Adjective

This year, the traditional media coverage combined with the audience buy-in has proved a potent combination for reality stars looking to pursue other avenues in Hollywood.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
This potent elixir is powered by L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid to protect against environmental stressors and combat fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of potent

Adjective

Semenyo had already completed a prolific season in England’s Premier League, scoring 17 league goals to take over boyhood idol Tony Yeboah’s long-standing record for most scored by a Ghanaian in a single season.

— Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Domingo, the prolific actor with an Emmy win and two Oscar and Tony nominations, is set to receive the Vantage Award.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of prolific

Browse Nearby Words

ribs

rich

richen

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rich. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rich

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on rich

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vacuous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes