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rich people
wealthy people
super-wealthy people
high-income people
lucky people
elite people
rich foods
fat foods
dense foods
heavy foods
high-calorie foods
high-nutrient foods
rich variety
diverse variety
great variety
extensive variety
amazing variety
wide variety
rich history
vibrant history
immense history
strong history
proud history
extensive history
rich land
lush land

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rich distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rich are affluent, opulent, and wealthy. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

When would affluent be a good substitute for rich?

The words affluent and rich can be used in similar contexts, but affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When might opulent be a better fit than rich?

The words opulent and rich are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

When can wealthy be used instead of rich?

The meanings of wealthy and rich largely overlap; however, 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 rich People familiar with Prince’s arrival say he was introduced in Haiti by Reuven Bigio, the CEO of the GB Group, a firm founded by Gilbert Bigio, an uber rich Haitian businessman who was sanctioned by Canada in 2022 along with other prominent members of the economic elite. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 Whether real or fictionalized, rich women behaving badly is a formula that never fails to deliver (see exhibits A, B, C: Real Housewives, Desperate Housewives, Mormon Wives). Andrea Lavinthal, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025 The gold and cream jacquard shimmered with each movement, the intricate pattern gave the suit a rich, almost tapestry-like dimension. Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 15 Aug. 2025 Rudy also has a rich girlfriend, Sarah (Madison Iseman), who does work for the big bad law firm. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rich
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rich
Adjective
  • The best option to fix this problem is for wealthy people to pay their share.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Cadence Sinclair Eastman comes from a wealthy family that visits Beechwood Island, near Martha’s Vineyard, every summer.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Our Lamb Burgers flip the script on a traditional patty, using rich and fatty ground lamb.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
  • However, avoid fatty cuts of meat which can lead to pancreatitis.
    Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Immigration enforcement in the country’s interior also has been robust.
    Matt Alderton, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The Pulse makes a sufficiently robust 47 peak hp (35 kW) and 53 ft-lb (72 Nm) of torque, with a curb weight of just 390 lbs (177 kg).
    Kyle Hyatt, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet the scaffolding that once made the country fertile ground for high-growth ventures is rusting.
    London Business School, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Hayward and a few other pioneers created fertile ground for a restaurant culture, and began a tradition of investing in talent—sending young chefs to apprentice elsewhere, then inviting them back to Maine with sharpened skills and fresh visions.
    Marcia DeSanctis, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This policy opened nearly $9 trillion dollars of 401(k) accounts that only had access to asset classes typically reserved for institutional and affluent level investors, and this presents opportunity and risk.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Networks that are headquartered in major cities, and that can turn to large or affluent membership bases during fund-raising drives, will have an easier time making up shortfalls.
    Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Oily, fatty, and greasy food do not react well to plastic and should be put in better alternatives, like glass, according to our experts.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
  • The blend of grape seed, jojoba, clary sage, and tea tree oils doesn’t leave behind a greasy film.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Her journey captures exactly what's making TikTok Shop such a potent engine for indie retailers: discoverability, community, and authentic human connection.
    Catherine Erdly, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The Wall Street Journal reports the drug is so potent, even trace amounts can be fatal — and it’s already caused at least 400 deaths in the U.K.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Ugarte brings more energy and bite than Casemiro, and is prolific in breaking up play, but his limits in terms of passing range and ability to progress the ball pose a different kind of challenge.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025
  • So, why did the Spurs hand Fox a max extension while the Hawks aren’t willing to do so the same with Young, even though Young has been more prolific than Fox both from a scoring and playmaking standpoint?
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rich. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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