Definition of wealthynext

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 However, blaming regional choice programs for district deficits or inventing narratives about wealthy RESCs will not hire a teacher, fix a roof, or improve a reading score. Leonard Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026 There is also the matter of the career that made Savannah wealthy. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026 Whatever your take, what’s clear is that even the world’s wealthiest tech companies don’t mind borrowing money to maintain their competitive footing. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 His ex-fiancée, Adva Lavie, is charged with stealing from older wealthy men after posing as their girlfriends from 2023 to 2025. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wealthy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wealthy
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
Adjective
  • There’s a rich sense of history here, too, from the naming of all four stands after club legends and former owner Sir Jack Hayward to the statue of England great Billy Wright that sits outside the main entrance on Waterloo Road.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The island is home to rich coastal ecosystems and serves as a nesting place for several species of sea turtles.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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