affluent 1 of 2

affluent

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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
Diamond Shitter unfolds against the backdrop of the affluent expat community in Geneva. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025 The film’s story unfolds against the backdrop of the affluent ex-pat community in Geneva. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
Norway green-lit an increase in taxes earlier this year, causing its affluent to flee to Switzerland to dodge taxes. Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 30 Oct. 2024 Prospects for luxury spending has worsened since June’s survey among a comparable sample of 400 affluents. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affluent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
Adjective
  • Jacob Elordi plays Dorrigo Evans’ younger self, stumbling into an engagement with a girlfriend from a wealthy family (Olivia DeJonge) while falling in love with his uncle’s wife Amy (Odessa Young), a bohemian youngster who has clearly done some regrettable matrimonial stumbling herself.
    Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
  • But then the Birds sold 8% of their operation to two wealthy families in deals that valued the club at $8.1 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • More than 1,000 tributaries collect rain and glacial runoff from a basin nearly the size of the contiguous United States.
    Alex Cuadros, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Nearby, some of their fellow travelers had already perished in the sparkling tributary, their lifeless bodies cast aside to make way for the next wave of salmon.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • That's projector-like real estate in a screen that provides rich black levels, burstingly bright quantum dot colors, and impressive overall punch.
    Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
  • According to the 14th congressional district representative, she’s met wealthy people who are a lot more impressive than the world’s richest man.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near affluent

Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affluent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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