FLOURISH Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'flourish' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flourish are brandish , swing , thrash , and wave . While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement. // flourished the winning lottery ticket

Q: When is it sensible to use 'brandish' instead of 'flourish'?

The meanings of brandish and flourish largely overlap; however, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion. // brandishing a knife

Q: When could 'swing' be used to replace 'flourish'?

While the synonyms swing and flourish are close in meaning, swing implies regular or uniform movement. // swing the rope back and forth

Q: When might 'thrash' be a better fit than 'flourish'?

The synonyms thrash and flourish are sometimes interchangeable, but thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement. // an infant thrashing his arms about

Q: When can 'wave' be used instead of 'flourish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to flourish , wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion. // waving the flag

flourish 1 of 2

verb

ˈflər-ish

Definition of flourish

as in to thrive

to grow vigorously that plant flourishes in cool, wet weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to succeed

to reach a desired level of accomplishment the arts program flourished once it received adequate funding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flourish

2 of 2

noun

as in wave

Related Words

as in ruffle

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flourish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flourish are brandish, swing, thrash, and wave. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

When is it sensible to use brandish instead of flourish?

The meanings of brandish and flourish largely overlap; however, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

When could swing be used to replace flourish?

While the synonyms swing and flourish are close in meaning, swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

When might thrash be a better fit than flourish?

The synonyms thrash and flourish are sometimes interchangeable, but thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

When can wave be used instead of flourish?

While in some cases nearly identical to flourish, wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

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 flourish

Verb

James, as always, brings his Dickensian eyes and ears to his birth country’s gay culture, which flourished in its own way even during years of oppression and misinformation. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Waybourn said technology like Flock’s has been around since 2000 and flourished after the 9/11 attacks. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

Add a monogram, and the customization reads like a natural extension of the towel as opposed to a decorative flourish. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Aug. 2026 Pruitt’s interest in opera is genuine, but the flourish is misleading. — Carson Griffith, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flourish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish

Verb

The prairies’ clayey soils and other characteristics suppress tree growth, but allow native grasses, wildflowers and other herbaceous plants to thrive.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026
The show has thrived with its changing global locations and challenges, and without A-list star power.

— Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of thrive

Verb

The quest for 500 million flies The only way the US has succeeded in eradicating screwworm is by breeding millions of flies, sterilizing them using radiation and dropping them in areas with infestations.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Yet too many adults focus on winning and chasing college scholarships, driving up the costs for families and pressure on children to specialize in one sport and succeed.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of succeed

Noun

Large, destructive waves and life-threatening rip currents are forecast across many Hawaiian shorelines during the next several days.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
And, in recent years, a new culinary wave has emerged, as chefs create bold fusion dishes or, more subtly, adapt Japanese recipes to uniquely Brazilian produce, from Amazon river fish to jambu, a tongue-tingling herb.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

Volume and shape played a starring role as well, from bubble hems and layered ruffles to peplums and drop-waists.

— Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026
Worn by Osaka during her first-round singles match on day two of the tournament, the look featured a white windbreaker with a large green bow, a green tutu with white tulle ruffles and a matching green visor.

— Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruffle

Verb

Still, those who prosper based on achieving productivity advances naturally have greater wealth than before, only to drive up other prices formerly lower due to more subdued economic growth.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Firms with proprietary data that is valuable to AI agents should be better positioned to prosper, while software companies that offer little beyond functionality — and have few other sources of customer stickiness — could struggle.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian and Stephen Henriques, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of prosper

Noun

Around this infrastructure, Pizzini and her team reconstructed the original Muppet Theatre, from the iconic arches to the filigree to the safety curtain with the door Kermit pops out of in the opening sequence.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
One bestseller, the Chessboard necklace, features a spider’s web of traditional Chinese filigree in silver and gold, accented with diamonds, as a Chinese metaphor for catching wealth.

— Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of filigree

Verb

Donyell Malen seems to have been transformed from decent winger into prime Marco van Basten since arriving in Rome from Aston Villa last season, so if that remarkable form continues, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side could well surprise a few people.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The muffed punt, dropped by Oregon’s Evan Stewart, should have drawn a penalty on Boise State’s coverage team, as Jameson Perry came within inches of making contact with Stewart just before the ball arrived.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of arrive

Browse Nearby Words

flounders

flourish

flourished

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Style

“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flourish

verb

noun

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