Synonym Chooser

How is the word wealthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wealthy are affluent, opulent, and rich. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

Where would affluent be a reasonable alternative to wealthy?

In some situations, the words affluent and wealthy are roughly equivalent. However, affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When would opulent be a good substitute for wealthy?

The synonyms opulent and wealthy are sometimes interchangeable, but opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

When might rich be a better fit than wealthy?

The words rich and wealthy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

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 wealthy Both women are wealthy, although Marissa — a wealth manager based in Chicago — is self-made. Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025 Musk is already the world’s wealthiest person, with a net worth of about $473 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. David Ingram, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025 New York — New York’s wealthiest had warned of a business exodus if Zohran Mamdani won Tuesday’s mayoral race. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 Musk is already unfathomably wealthy, worth some $460 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Camila Domonoske, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wealthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wealthy
Adjective
  • Banking and finance is the most popular industry to work in for affluent people across all generations, according to the report.
    Megan Sauer, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
  • On one hand, there’s the affluent bachelor Harry (Pedro Pascal), who offers material security.
    Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The world outside me was big and rich with far more important and grave matters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Advertisement Mamdani’s political success is largely credited to a media-savvy campaign that centered affordability in one of the world’s most expensive cities, with Mamdani vowing to levy New York’s ultra-rich to pay for childcare, transportation, and even grocery stores.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wealthy. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wealthy

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