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 Her Alinea line of wines currently includes five others she's produced from grapes sourced from other parts of the region around Cape Town, which has a rich winemaking tradition. ABC News, 21 June 2026 Powder blue and dusty pink are feeling overly sweet and dated; try richer tones like deep teal or mauve for more personality. Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 As people age, cholesterol and fat gradually clog the walls of two large arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 Her hair, once again, was styled in a beautiful updo that gains volume at the back, while her lashes are coated in a rich, deep black. Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rich
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rich
Adjective
  • The Season’s characters, entertaining in their obnoxiously wealthy and drama-prone ways but not exactly dimensional, simply aren’t built for close scrutiny.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • Targets included wealthy people and politicians, Proper told investigators, according to a criminal complaint.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Eat More Fish and Lean Poultry Instead of fattier meat dishes, try to incorporate more fish and lean poultry into your diet.
    Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 4 May 2026
  • Only have fattier or leaner meat?
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Companies want strategic locations, with ready access to their customers and suppliers through a robust network of roads, bridges, ports, and airports.
    Scott Cohn, CNBC, 16 June 2026
  • Potassium regulates the opening and closing of stomata, which helps manage water stress and keeps the plant robust enough to produce and maintain blossoms.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • That indeed looks to be one fertile future for Catalan animation.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • Such arguments are falling on fertile ground.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Unanimously approved Tuesday, the ban is the latest measure taken in the past two years to curb what’s become a growing safety issue in the affluent East Bay town of about 43,000 residents.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
  • Safety net hospitals also have fewer resources than more affluent hospitals to deal with denials from Medicaid managed care organizations, which occur when health insurers and other organizations that administer Medicaid benefits for the state deny payment for certain claims.
    Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Drake gets greasy over Tay Keith’s crisp, hard-hitting drum patterns.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026
  • The lightweight formula is infused with fermented saururus, kukui oil, cacay oil, and squalane to soften, soothe, and deeply hydrate without leaving behind a greasy feel.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • But Algeria, ranked 28th in the world, entered the tournament with high hopes and one of African soccer’s most potent attacks.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • Tucker said people use it to get high, and it is believed to be 25–50% as potent as fentanyl.
    Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Latto was there, along with Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, Dawn Staley of South Carolina coaching fame, prolific boxer Claressa Shields, local rapper Fabo and Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens.
    Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • America’s greatest and most prolific exporter of the world of laughter and joy was and is Jimmy Burrows.
    Warren Littlefield, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rich. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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