Synonym Chooser

How is the word opulent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of opulent are affluent, rich, and wealthy. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Where would affluent be a reasonable alternative to opulent?

While the synonyms affluent and opulent are close in meaning, affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When can rich be used instead of opulent?

While in some cases nearly identical to opulent, rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

When is wealthy a more appropriate choice than opulent?

The words wealthy and opulent can be used in similar contexts, but 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 opulent Parts of the governor’s mansion were badly charred, including an opulent room with a piano and a chandelier where Shapiro had hosted a Passover Seder just hours earlier. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2025 The thing about an opulent clutch designed to resemble an heirloom tomato and an actual heirloom tomato is that both are objects of beauty. Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025 Lady Gaga closed down the first night of Coachella with an opulent, career-spanning performance, and tonight, fans will gather to see Green Day take the main stage. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025 Each one features elegant touches of red and feels opulent and old world, but still modern. Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opulent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opulent
Adjective
  • Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon play the mom and dad of a wealthy family holed up in a posh bunker in a salt mine, George MacKay plays their son who yearns to know about the inhospitable outside world, and Moses Ingram is the stranger who changes everything.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • By 1960, Gros Michel exports had all but vanished from supermarket shelves; surviving plants only persisted in isolated, small-scale farms or private collections of wealthy aficionados who could afford the costly biosecurity measures necessary to keep them alive.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 1963, the palace was transformed into a luxurious resort dedicated to lavish living.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Amazon shoppers are equally impressed with the luxurious cleansing balm, and more than 2,000 users have added it to their carts in the past month alone.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Aruba is culturally rich, with diverse ethnicities and dialects, including one of their native languages, Papiamentu, a common creole language spoken on the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 1 May 2025
  • These regions are often rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and scientists usually spot them with radio telescopes that detect carbon monoxide.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The centrist Liberal Democrats made big gains in south and southwest England by winning more affluent, socially liberal voters away from the Conservatives.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
  • Gaia - the glamor of the Greek Isles in Mayfair Located on Dover Street in affluent Mayfair, right across from the famous Ritz, Gaia—named after the primordial earth deity of Greek mythology—is a very ritzy dining spot with social media-ready interiors.
    Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • It is also known as Damask or Damascene rose and is revered for its luxuriant scent.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The development pre-built its luxuriant landscaping and outdoor plazas, then incorporated an indoor golf simulator, fitness center and café as tenant amenities.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Alongside the original 14-track album, the deluxe version is complemented by an additional eight tracks, featuring unheard tracks, remixes, and collaborations.
    Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 2 May 2025
  • Photo : Gregory White/Seattle Home Photography Just off the bar is a deluxe bedroom suitable as the primary suite.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The attorney defending Diddy on charges that stem from lavish parties filled with alcohol actually leads a clean lifestyle.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
  • However, prosecutors at the time said the brothers’ motive was greed and cited their lavish spending spree after the slayings.
    Nicole Acosta, People.com, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Opulent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opulent. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on opulent

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