1
as in successful
having attained a desired end or state of good fortune
our new landscaping business is thriving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in busy
marked by much life, movement, or activity
the once thriving downtown has fallen into steep decline since the new mall was built
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in prosperous
marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically
a thriving manufacturing community that is experiencing a tremendous growth in new jobs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flourishing
to grow vigorously
these plants thrive with relatively little sunlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in succeeding
to reach a desired level of accomplishment
going to a school for gifted students will help him thrive as a musical prodigy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 thriving
Laura Fay, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Light summer trims and proper tool care keep your maple looking neat and thriving year after year.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 18 Jan. 2026
Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
At the Philadelphia Zoo, officials expect Marcy the snow leopard to be thriving this weekend, according to a local news report.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thriving
Adjective
Philadelphia's thriving restaurant scene continues to receive national attention, including from the prestigious James Beard Foundation.
—Laura Fay, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Light summer trims and proper tool care keep your maple looking neat and thriving year after year.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
To have a steady and selfless point guard is often to have a thriving team culture, a lesson that former NBA coach Phil Jackson learned during his first seasons with the Chicago Bulls.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026
At the Philadelphia Zoo, officials expect Marcy the snow leopard to be thriving this weekend, according to a local news report.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thriving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thriving
Adjective
-
The difference between successful entrepreneurs and everyone else?—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For Pérez, the motivation lies not only in executing a successful, personal comeback but building the team into one that can represent the whole of the Americas.—
Aleks Klosok,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
China has been particularly busy, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Starmer all visiting Beijing this month.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
But Greenstein says that keeping your child’s favorite toys handy in one spot around the home where kids feel comfortable and safe can give busy parents some time (even if just a few minutes) to call a friend, make a cup of coffee, take that shower, or even do a quick workout routine.—
Jillian Pretzel,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Why is Live Nation such a prosperous corporation?—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Iraqi Kurdish leaders courted Western oil companies and turned the territory into what was known as the most prosperous and stable part of Iraq.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some, like musicians Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks, started out young and continued flourishing well into their older years.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Paying attention to leaf discoloration, pinpointing the problem, and taking rapid action can help restore your ficus to a flourishing state.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Author Ta-Nehisi Coates, an 8-year-old in West Baltimore at the time of the murder, offers piercing commentary on the impact of both the initial crime and the succeeding one, the grievously unjust trial that put three kids in the penitentiary.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Builders succeeding in 2026 will prioritize cost discipline, engage pro-reform jurisdictions, invest selectively, build workforce resilience, and monitor regulatory developments closely.—
Brad Hunter,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nguyen’s main renovations brought the bar from the back of the room to the front, an open window into the buzzing new restaurant.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Once a pivotal railway stop, later the site of world-stage events, like the 1996 Olympic Games, and most recently, a filming epicenter, Conyers has blossomed into a buzzing destination, drawing visitors from across the globe.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And several of them — like the diner on Milwaukee Avenue — had outwardly appeared to be prospering, only to suddenly shut down.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire after the 2025-26 season, and the two sides ratified a new four-year deal in June, more than a year ahead of the expiration, as both sides are prospering.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Examples should be arriving in showrooms soon.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Mississippi National Guard said citizen-soldiers equipped with wreckers began arriving before dawn to help clear I-55 and I-22.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thriving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thriving. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
