Synonym Chooser

How is the word wealthy distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of wealthy are affluent, opulent, and rich. While all these words mean "having goods, property, and money in abundance," wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

Where would affluent be a reasonable alternative to wealthy?

In some situations, the words affluent and wealthy are roughly equivalent. However, affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

When would opulent be a good substitute for wealthy?

The synonyms opulent and wealthy are sometimes interchangeable, but opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

When might rich be a better fit than wealthy?

The words rich and wealthy 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

Examples of wealthy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Candidates attend community events, hold fundraisers, stand on street corners, knock on doors, and ask wealthy individuals and companies to cough up a bit more than a buck — just like an actual political campaign. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 On top of that, the U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality—death during pregnancy or up to a year after giving girth—among wealthy nations. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 18 Sep. 2024 Combs’ request echoes that of a long line of wealthy defendants who have offered to pay multimillion-dollar bails in exchange for home detention in luxurious surroundings. Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2024 The Perfect Couple is a limited series based on a book by Elin Hilderbrand from 2018, the story of a wedding day murder that occurs within a wealthy family in Nantucket. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wealthy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wealthy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near wealthy

Cite this Entry

“Wealthy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wealthy. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

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