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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 First spotted in 2024, FCC 224 is a dwarf galaxy that boasts a dozen luminous, tightly bound clusters of stars — an unusually rich population for its size, typically seen in larger, dark-matter rich galaxies — yet appears to lack the mysterious substance. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025 As winds churn up cold water off the Southern California coast, sediment rich in nutrients is swirled up from the ocean floor and becomes feed for smaller creatures in the water who are eaten by larger ones like pelicans, whales and all kinds of fish. Stephanie Elam, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025 Louise insisted the show didn’t make the cast rich. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025 The viral tiramisu comes with a rich chocolate layer, soft ladyfingers and crispy knafeh pastry. Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rich
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rich
Adjective
  • He’s haunted by killing wealthy villain B.J. Vines (John Diehl) in Season 2, and the Ye’iitsoh has been plaguing him.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
  • One of its largest individual donors this election cycle is Chris Larsen, a wealthy tech investor who founded a large cryptocurrency company.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • It can also be obtained from dietary sources, according to the ACS, including fatty fish and some mushrooms.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a bit of a balancing act that goes on here; the wine should have enough acidity and freshness to hold up to tomato sauce in addition to medium to strong tannins that will cut through fatty cheese.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Panthers added two offensive weapons on Day 3 who also have robust return experience.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The platform has a robust interface that allows users to manage rosters across teams, from freshman to junior varsity (JV), and varsity.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Manufacturing is a fertile ground for AI applications.
    John Clemons, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Social media platforms like TikTok have become fertile ground for unfounded theories that President Donald Trump will declare martial law on April 20 — despite any supporting evidence.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Especially in affluent markets, top psychiatrists and residential programs operate entirely out of pocket.
    John Samuels, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Chelsea benefit from playing in one of the most affluent areas of London; without their generous location, gate receipts would be far lower.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In your home kitchen, that organic waste usually includes fruit and vegetable scraps, leftover food (excluding meat, dairy, and greasy foods), coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells.
    Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The greasy revelation sparked a wider discussion about what exactly goes into our favorite salty snacks.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • He’s been their most potent asset since the international break, with two goals and one assist.
    Holly Shand, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The late-April glut of convenings this year has had an especially potent effect of magnifying the latest news cycles emanating from Donald Trump’s chaotic White House: Will the President fire Jerome Powell?
    Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump has continued prolific fundraising during his second term, including $239 million for his inaugural committee through April 20, according to a Federal Election Commission filing April 20.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The construction division of Baltimore developer Chasen Cos. has been placed into bankruptcy, the latest in a series of financial setbacks for the prolific apartment builder.
    Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rich. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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