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
Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Canada have all experienced noticeable declines – while less affluent countries like Mexico and Costa Rica rank among the happiest in the world. Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025 Shifting the burden of paying for basic public services off more affluent homeowners and onto low income people who cannot afford to buy a home is the height of cruelty. Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 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
  • Trump's inaugural, right behind them three wealthiest guys in America.
    Meghan Mistry, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Accrington were not and are not a wealthy club, and Barry paid out of his own pocket to go on a series of courses, including one about the benefits of meditation.
    Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • With more than 500 square miles of navigable waters, the Bay and its tributaries have kayak outfitters with key locations for spectacular views of San Francisco.
    Jill K. Robinson, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Maryland’s summer/fall recreational striped bass season in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries opens May 16.
    Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While Sanders was in Colorado railing against the influence of billionaires, the world's richest man, Elon Musk, was at the Pentagon.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The style is classic yet rustic, with smooth planks, a rich stain, decorative moldings along the rim, and baseboards along the bottom.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affluent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affluent. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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