AFFLUENT Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

affluent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-(ˌ)flü-ənt

Definition of affluent next

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

Examples 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

Since then, the county’s partisan shift has made national news, with the state’s most affluent big county swinging almost entirely to support Democrats, from presidential candidates on down. —

Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024 In August, Wiley gave an interview to The Wall Street Journal, whose affluent readership includes many art collectors. —

Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

These resorts also tend to be overwhelmingly white, a legacy of their origins as havens for the affluent. —

June Thomas, TIME, 31 May 2024 But forget all that and consider that the steamer trunk was a symptom of a societal change among the affluent, representing a yen for regular travel. —

The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affluent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent

Adjective

That puts it reassuringly outside the capability of even a wealthy tech bro, who wouldn’t have the money or the diplomatic alliances required, as Cynthia Scharf, senior fellow at the International Center for Future Generations, told me.

Lara Williams, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
The opposing views underscored the challenge at the heart of the climate negotiations: while nations are urged to shift to green energy sources, many, including wealthy Western nations, continue to rely on fossil fuels.

Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024