affluent 1 of 2

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
Joining the daytime drama about an affluent African American county in Maryland are Brandon Claybon, Timon Durrett, Sean Freeman, Marquita Goings, Maurice Johnson, Trisha Mann-Grant, RhonniRose Mantilla, Ambyr Michelle, Colby Muhammad and Arielle Prepetit. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024 Prosecutors in Washington charged a 15-year-old boy in the killings of his parents and three siblings at a home in an affluent neighborhood outside Seattle. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 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
Noun
  • Private Equity Road This is admittedly a little tributary on the M&A path, maybe more realistic if not that appealing either.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The Chippewa and Black rivers are tributaries of the Mississippi River, which has functioned as a superhighway for invasive carp to travel.
    Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • There’s a lot to unpack from this family photo, which prominently features the world’s richest man, standing with the president-elect’s offspring and their partners and their children.
    Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The concert was a powerhouse of moody songs rich with Gilmour’s emotive playing.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

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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 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on affluent

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