flourish 1 of 2

flourish

2 of 2

noun

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
The trailer also highlights some of Schaffer's stylistic flourishes, such as bodycam-POV footage that evokes the chaos of shows like Cops and Live PD. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 June 2025 Our destination was Cuyama Buckhorn, a roadside motel that in recent years has been made over into a stylish resort with vintage flourishes, such as bocce courts and firepits ideal for roasting s’mores. David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
Noun
In Pip Adam’s extraordinary, humane novel Audition, recently released in the United States, space is both the dystopian place where humanity’s worst impulses flourish and a site of uncharted possibility where humans can become something entirely new. Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025 Had played in the Champions League with Benfica and previously flourished at Panathinaikos. Paul Taylor, New York Times, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for flourish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish
Verb
  • Helping new med students thrive Dr. Deeksha Sikri is pathology discipline director for the foundational sciences team.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • Great teams thrive when every voice has a path to impact.
    Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • During the month of May in the city of San Diego, only 128 out of 2,216 requests for shelter succeeded, largely because facilities are full.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Whether this approach will succeed depends on how effectively the state can balance stability, flexibility, and innovation in the years ahead.
    Luciano Duque, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • William Yang, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, says the policy likely responds to a wave of high-level espionage cases uncovered in March.
    Ashish Valentine, NPR, 29 June 2025
  • Bathers can cool off in some of the lower pools, where lapping waves keep the temperatures mild (at high tide, some even become completely submerged), or walk down the beach for a salty cold plunge into the Atlantic Ocean.
    Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • For the Beach Bride For the summer bride hosting a seaside soirée, Loewe’s silk fishnet dress—framed with frothy ruffles—is the perfect blend of whimsy and modernity.
    Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 23 June 2025
  • The ruffle details, adjustable tie straps, and sweetheart neckline give it a feminine, flowing appearance.
    Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Law is a sector that can prosper in hostile environments—litigation thrives during both prosperity and adversity, and downtimes can be a boon for countercyclical practices like bankruptcy and restructuring.
    Liane Jackson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • California’s vast network of reservoirs to capture water and canals to deliver it was originally created to help farmers prosper.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The sly twist from humility to confidence — all delivered with a not self-aware nonchalant shrug to the crowd — drives home how much more powerful the song is, in every case, than its writer or performer.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • The novel ends, as so many legal cases do, with a shrug and a funeral no one attends.
    Aron Solomon June 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • 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, 1 June 2025
  • There are a few digital filigrees and subtones added by the experimental pop wizard A. G. Cook.
    Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • An antenna of the satellite internet provider Starlink can be seen on the train at the central station on which EU Commission President von der Leyen arrived from Poland, 20 Sept. 2024, Ukraine, Kiev.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes is set to arrive July 25 via Big Bear Records.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on flourish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!