WEALTHY Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē

Definition of wealthy

as in affluent

having goods, property, or money in abundance a wealthy man who likes to collect antique cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Visiting teams, particularly from wealthy nations with the means to pay for it, will also request the most secluded rooms in the hotel, and away from the street side to minimize noise exposure. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Democrats, who leaned heavily on small-dollar fundraising in recent election cycles, warned the decision would further expand the influence of megadonors and wealthy political networks in federal campaigns. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026 The descendants of Walmart’s founders Sam and Bud Walton are now worth half-a-trillion dollars—three times as much as America’s second wealthiest family. — Matt Durot, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 For instance, space tourism has gotten off the ground; wealthy people can book trips to suborbital space, and the super-rich can fly all the way to Earth orbit, as the experience of NASA chief Jared Isaacman shows. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wealthy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wealthy

Adjective

Raised in an affluent suburb in Marin County, Siebel Newsom, 52, grew up in privilege.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Walmart The superstore stock has plenty of runway as Walmart 's efforts to court more affluent consumers begin to pay off, according to Bank of America.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 5 July 2026

Definition of affluent

Adjective

Soak in the mineral-rich waters of nearby Travertine Hot Springs and observe a decaying mining town at Bodie State Historic Park.

— Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Key Takeaways Omega-3s can be obtained through a balanced diet, especially by eating seafood rich in DHA and EPA, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel.

— Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026

Definition of rich

Browse Nearby Words

wealths

wealthy

weaned

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wealthy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wealthy

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on wealthy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes