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

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
Tent encampments have sprung up as makeshift housing, forcing uncomfortable conversations about how to address homelessness in a largely affluent region of the state. Tracey Tully, New York Times, 21 May 2025 The nine floods not associated with more foreclosures were in affluent neighborhoods where home values were rising. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Noun
The current credit card system essentially functions as a private tax collection mechanism, extracting billions from the real economy to fund rewards programs that primarily benefit the affluent. Justin Grooms, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024 The homes of the affluent stood out as the landscape rushed by. Sheikh Saaliq, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for affluent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
Adjective
  • Tax cuts that disproportionately benefit wealthier Americans and new tax deductions for tips also are included in the legislation.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Yet by Holly Jackson A famed Y.A. author’s first foray into adult fiction centers on Jet Mason, the wayward daughter of a wealthy Vermont family.
    Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • The Sacramento River and Klamath River basin and tributaries will remain closed to protect their salmon populations.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025
  • Most of that decline happened in the river’s tributaries and lakes, where the animal’s range has decreased by 91 percent.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the vernacular and ahistorical images are what give the show its rich, tangy flavor.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
  • Even a short pitstop could make a big difference to Americans in uniform: NORTHEAST The Northeast is rich with military history.
    Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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