affluent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-(ˌ)flü-ənt How to pronounce affluent (audio)
Definition of affluentnext
as in wealthy
having goods, property, or money in abundance he is affluent and can afford to send his children to the best schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

affluent

2 of 2

noun

as in tributary
a stream that flows into a larger body of water the Nipigon and the St. Louis rivers are affluents of Lake Superior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affluent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of affluent are opulent, rich, and wealthy. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When could opulent be used to replace affluent?

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

an opulent mansion

When is rich a more appropriate choice than affluent?

The words rich and affluent 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

When can wealthy be used instead of affluent?

Although the words wealthy and affluent have much in common, 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 affluent
Adjective
In Chester County, an affluent region west of Philadelphia, a lawyer left cases untouched for as long as two years before the county ended his contract last fall. — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026 Quiet luxury, by invitation Fortune previously reported affluent Gen Z and millennials were prioritizing experiences, wellness, and identity over traditional luxury possessions. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
The fact that my book, in part, tracks the lives of the affluent probably adds to that perception. — Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025 The conventional wisdom sees meager job growth as largely a result of immigration restrictions and demographics, disconnected from still-healthy GDP-tracking models that capture urgent capex levels and free spending by the affluent. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affluent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
  1. wealthy
  2. tributary
  3. rich
Adjective
  • Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The airline sees lots of wealthy customers traveling to and from Broward and wants to cater to them with fancier flights.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wealthy
Noun
  • Salmon born in its tributaries migrate to the ocean, spend years feeding at sea, then return to spawn, linking villages like Rampart to the same waters where the pollock fleet fishes.
    — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The team would be making camp at the confluence of the Barrancas and one of its tributaries.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of tributary
Adjective
  • Chan Luu is hardly an emerging brand because of its rich history, but Tessa Tran, the niece of Chan Luu, bought back the family business in 2023 and has since revived the line as artistic director.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • At least 84 people remained missing in one of the deadliest shipwrecks yet on the popular but perilous crossing from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, where many migrants seek work in rich Gulf nations.
    — JAMEY KEATEN, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rich

Browse Nearby Words

affluences
affluent
affluently
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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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