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

The demand has grown so high that an underground gray market has flourished in delivering those cult-classic burgers to hungry customers. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Within Daniels’ generation, change has been flourishing in the hearts and minds of locals. — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

Snapping open and shut the phone satisfied some deep, restless urge, and the same was true for the rotational flourish of the wrist involved in opening and closing the knife. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 Tyler placed it between us with an elegant flourish; the steam carried the scent of glorious-secret spices. — Larry Padgett, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flourish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish

Verb

But up to this point, DIIV have endured—thrived, even—because of their refusal to capitulate to the industry winds that swirled around them.

— Larry Fitzmaurice, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
His thriving business is built on centuries-old techniques, yet many of his clients discover him through Instagram, where videos of his work regularly attract millions of views.

— Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrive

Noun

Suspicions of state corruption in infrastructure projects two years ago set off a wave of street protests after a collapsed canopy at a train station in Serbia's north killed 16 people after a renovation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
In December 2004 such a wave swept over Earth, causing some havoc.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

Related Articles The dress was designed with a flowing sensibility in mind, featuring the Victorian design element of a high collar contrasted by fluttering bohemian shift silhouette, long sleeves and plenty of ruffles on the bodice and skirt.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
For the occasion, Klum opted for a gloriously theatrical, tangerine-orange Lever Couture dress that featured sculptural, accordion-pleated ruffles that fell from mini-dress length to an arpeggiated train.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruffle

Verb

In the new century that followed, parties have continued to prosper when their presidential candidates win and give ground in the midterms.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Roddenberry execs are now trying to ensure that a company built on the back of one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable IPs can continue to live long and prosper.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of prosper

Noun

Chris regards his role in the deaths and disappearances of thousands of innocents with a weary shrug—and, on rare dark nights of the soul, a piddling note of regret.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
The movie ends with a kind of shrug, which is one of its best qualities.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of shrug

Noun

The long curtains of the banquet room had been thrown open to the morning, and every object—tea service, silver filigree on chopstick handles—glinted like treasure.

— Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026
In the coming weeks, permanent plaza fences will be erected here — curvy stainless-steel structures that MAD Architects principal Dixon Junliang Lu compared to the lacy filigree of Art Nouveau architecture.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of filigree

Verb

New England’s best arrived nine minutes later, when Raines fired high on a one-time chance from close range.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
The jobs report arrives with inflation running well above the Fed's 2% target, potentially forcing central bankers to raise rates in the coming months after making no change at last week's policy meeting.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of flourish

verb

noun

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