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

Prior to the 1960s, the Brooklyn neighborhood was a flourishing Black community. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026 The two first met about a year and a half ago at an event involving Oprah Winfrey and then-Vice President Kamala Harris, and their friendship has only continued to flourish while working together in Fiji. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

Noun

From Minnesota’s perspective, can two players who are ball-dominant flourish together? — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026 That is not a clever closing flourish. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flourish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish

Verb

Even in that outcome, however, as Law recently wrote, Wiggins could end up one day thriving as a high-leverage arm.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 12 July 2026
While the rest of the fashion industry has yet to stage a meaningful recovery, couture is thriving, supported by high-net-worth clients whose appetite for exclusivity and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship remains strong.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Definition of thrive

Verb

The burglars removed property, but did succeed in trying to take the ATM, police said.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Even after bones heal and surgeries succeed, experts say recovery can mean coming to terms with what injuries have changed and giving yourself permission to grieve those losses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Definition of succeed

Noun

The first wave of Social Security payments for July is scheduled to be distributed this week.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
SoCal’s housing market growth SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has unleashed a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

The sweet ruffle hem adds a stylish touch, instantly elevating your airport outfit.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Hathaway, styled by Erin Walsh, wore a white mini-dress from Blumarine’s resort 2027 collection, a cascade of semi-sheer, billowing fabric and arpeggiating white ruffles that culminated in a delicate halterneck.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 July 2026

Definition of ruffle

Verb

The leaders who prosper from it will be the ones who realize that changing the interface is the easy part; maintaining the institutional judgment, accountability, and logic beneath it is the hard part—and the part that matters most.

— Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
That’s hard to imagine of a president who uses the office to promote and prosper from his own brand name.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of prosper

Noun

The film is on track to turn a healthy profit against its $85 million budget, driven almost entirely by that overseas performance, while the domestic numbers read as a shrug.

— David Deal, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
And in a place where celebrity passersby and visiting monarchs typically get the same collective shrug, a certain exuberance appeared.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of shrug

Noun

American Stories is just nine songs, but pretty much every centimeter is garlanded with grabby bits of sonic filigree.

— Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Brooches These beautiful pins, frequently adorned with sparkling rhinestones, intricate enameling, or delicate filigree, were a staple in our grandmothers' jewelry boxes.

— Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of filigree

Verb

On June 23, an attendant at a gas station in the center of Moscow told CNN that tankers were still arriving and delivering fuel according to schedule.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The 2025 season was a rough one in Tim Albin’s first season at the helm after arriving from Ohio.

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of arrive

Browse Nearby Words

flounders

flourish

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“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of flourish

verb

noun

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