1
as in successful
having attained a desired end or state of good fortune
a flourishing actor in the early years of the talkies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thriving
marked by much life, movement, or activity
a flourishing market in sports memorabilia
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prosperous
marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically
a flourishing community that has become a major beneficiary of the high-tech boom
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in flowering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in prospering
to grow vigorously
that plant flourishes in cool, wet weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in succeeding
to reach a desired level of accomplishment
the arts program flourished once it received adequate funding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flourishing
Raven Smith, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2025
No longer overshadowed by the coastal bookends of New York City and Los Angeles, Ohio’s capital, with its distinct neighborhoods, inclusive spirit, and Midwestern warmth, has emerged as one of the country’s most flourishing destinations for food and drink.
—Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
The overprotection of patients, the concentration of decision-making authority in the hands of experts and administrators, and the systematic elimination of price signals all reflect a technocratic vision fundamentally at odds with individual flourishing.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Lea Barbett, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
His flourishing business interests, on the other hand, remain in rude health.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flourishing
Adjective
There’s something to be said about exhibiting the life of a Black, gay man who’s unapologetically flourishing; believe it or not, there are still a lot of people who don’t actually want Black and gay people thriving.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 13 Nov. 2025
No longer overshadowed by the coastal bookends of New York City and Los Angeles, Ohio’s capital, with its distinct neighborhoods, inclusive spirit, and Midwestern warmth, has emerged as one of the country’s most flourishing destinations for food and drink.
—Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Economic well-being risks becoming an end in itself rather than a means to human flourishing.
—Kenneth Zagacki, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
The overprotection of patients, the concentration of decision-making authority in the hands of experts and administrators, and the systematic elimination of price signals all reflect a technocratic vision fundamentally at odds with individual flourishing.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
This was true not just for feeling satisfied with life but also for deeper aspects of flourishing, such as having a sense of direction and meaning.
—Lea Barbett, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
His flourishing business interests, on the other hand, remain in rude health.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flourishing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourishing
Adjective
-
If successful, the effort could fundamentally reshape who is entitled to attend public schools in the United States and reopen a question the court has left untouched for more than four decades.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One of the most consistently successful programs in the country is back in the Final Four for the first time in a quarter century after dismantling Arkansas and Purdue in the West regionals.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
No one in this industry is really thriving, and that’s truer now than ever.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Packed with nightclubs, bars, restaurants, movie theatres and an array of other thriving businesses, The Stroll was a Black creative and cultural hub that became known as the jazz capital of the world.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
What is once in a lifetime in some places, once a generation in other places, occasional in the most prosperous of programs, has become a baseline achievement for the men’s and women’s basketball teams in Storrs.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But where Grosz targets only the vain and prosperous, Lapid puts his struggling bohemians at the heart of corruption.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Will cutting bouquets to bring indoors affect the flowering of the plants?—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and pumpkins need more frequent watering during flowering and while developing fruit.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hashem rose to the position after the 2024 war, succeeding Ali Karaki, who was killed alongside former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike that year.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Fahmy’s five-year term as secretary-general will start in July, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who has served as Arab League chief since 2016.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Opt for the spring or fall to enjoy the best of the city's buzzing outdoor markets and piazzas.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Tamarindo, a great stretch of beach for surfing, is equally famous for its nightlife, with buzzing spots like Chiquita's Tamarindo.—
Natalie Hammond,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Although Summer House cameras are not around to catch Amanda Batula and West Wilson‘s blossoming romance, Andy Cohen has plenty of questions.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Warmer days and blossoming flowers are signs that spring is upon us.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Surviving automation and prospering from economic growth are two very different things.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Inside San Quentin, Evans was prospering, according to others who knew him at the prison.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flourishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourishing. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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