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
Clancy, who is young and white, lived in an affluent Massachusetts neighborhood at the time of the deaths. — Ayana Lage, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 This weekend’s operation was focused on some of London’s most affluent neighborhoods, including Hyde Park, Kensington, and Chelsea. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 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
  • Their homes were not like the large estates found in wealthier Colorado mountain towns, but smaller structures where their blue-collar families went to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
  • His playful sophisticated wit was often aimed at his presidency, his wealthy background and occasionally his brothers, Teddy and Bobby.
    — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of wealthy
Noun
  • Under that circumstance, big river basins would have the same proportions as the small river basins that feed the tributaries within them.
    — Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Presidio is protected by a series of berms and levees built in the 1970s and 1980s along the Rio Grande and tributaries to combat flooding.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of tributary
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
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 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on affluent

Nglish: Translation of affluent for Spanish Speakers

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