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
The story of the affluent, white nurse who killed her three young children has become a lightning rod of sorts for discussions about postpartum mental health and about how filicidal mothers are treated by the judicial system. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 During the post-World War II construction boom, the Hamptons’ old-money dynasties were joined by affluent New Yorkers, transforming the region into an exclusive summer playground where the average home now lists for nearly $3 million. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 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
  • And one health care consultancy that finds doctors and mental health care for wealthy families charges retainers starting at $30,000 for 50 hours.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As trust in America weakens further, other wealthy nations will make the same calculation.
    — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wealthy
Noun
  • One solution is to pay water users upstream, who draw from the same tributary rivers, to adopt conservation practices that let more water reach the lake.
    — Silvia Console Battilana, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The altitude offers incredible vistas of the wetlands that border the Tanana River, one of the largest tributaries of the mighty Yukon.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tributary
Adjective
  • Counties where richer arrivals or the departure of lower earners drove the improvement were set aside.
    — Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Kodal Minerals plans to expand its lithium business across West Africa, betting the gold-rich region can become a major supplier of the battery metal, Reuters reported.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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