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
Actors lost homes The flames tore through affluent neighborhoods home to California’s rich and famous. Tony Kurzweil, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025 The median home price in Palisades, an affluent residential area, is more than $3 million, the J.P. Morgan report stated, while the median home price in Butte County, where the Camp Fire burned in 2018, was less than $500,000. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
Prospects for luxury spending has worsened since June’s survey among a comparable sample of 400 affluents. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024 Catering to the affluent often means competing with rivals to offer more diverse products, fighting the constant threat that clients can move their money elsewhere. Will Daniel, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affluent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affluent
Adjective
  • Even for wealthy investors, passive holdings have a strong appeal, says Christopher C. Geczy, Wharton adjunct professor of finance and academic director of the Wharton Wealth Management Initiative.
    Francis Gingras Roy, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • In a desperate bid to provide for her other seven children, their mother makes a fateful pact with her wealthy employer to give up one of the twins.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Jon Conklin, fishing guide, recommends fishing for stripers on the south half of the lake, from Prairie Creek park upstream into the White and War Eagle tributaries.
    Flip Putthoff, arkansasonline.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • One of those options is giving up excess water through Mexico’s Rio San Juan, which would not otherwise be an option since that river is not one of the six tributaries managed by the treaty.
    Berenice Garcia, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Chia seeds, like other seeds and nuts, are rich in oils that, when exposed to oxygen, can easily spoil and take on an unpleasant rancid flavor.
    Annie Peterson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
  • The whisky's texture is rich, creamy, and mouth-coating.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

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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 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affluent

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