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
  • At Goldman Sachs’ annual At the Helm event, the bank’s affluent clients dropped and did pushups for a Navy SEAL, unfurled their relationship with wealth guru Sahil Bloom, and strategized legacy with Mindy Kaling.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Democrats roared back to roll up big wins in fast-growing suburbs and even some exurbs that are home to legions of affluent and highly educated voters.
    Dave Goldiner, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently projected Suárez would sign a massive five-year, $135 million deal in free agency this winter, which would almost certainly be too rich for the Phillies' liking.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The pay package for Musk, already the world's richest person, consists of 12 tranches of shares to be granted if Tesla hits certain milestones over the next decade.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wealthy. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wealthy

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