Synonyms of flourish

flourish 1 of 2

verb

ˈflər-ish 

1

as in to thrive

to grow vigorously

that plant flourishes in cool, wet weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thrive
• prosper
• bloom
• flower
• proliferate
• sprout
• burgeon
• produce
• shoot up
• propagate
• root
• fruit
• germinate
• overgrow
• luxuriate
• seed
• regenerate

2

as in to succeed

to reach a desired level of accomplishment

the arts program flourished once it received adequate funding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thrive
• succeed
• prosper
• arrive
• excel
• make it
• cut it
• get ahead
• get there
• win
• hack it
• make good
• get somewhere
• make the grade
• hit it big
• prevail
• cut the mustard
• triumph
• make one's mark
• come into one's own

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fail
• struggle
• flounder

flourish

2 of 2

noun

1

as in wave

Related Words

• wave
• shrug
• beckon
• beck
• body language
• sign
• signal
• gesture
• motion
• pantomime
• gesticulation
• mime
• sign language
• indication
• posture

2

as in ruffle

Related Words

• ruffle
• filigree
• flounce
• finery
• enrichment
• improvement
• bells and whistles
• enhancement
• fal-lal
• apparel
• furbelow
• ornamentation
• embellishment
• ornament
• frosting
• blazonry
• adornment
• decoration
• frippery
• trim
• garnish
• froufrou
• chichi
• garniture
• emblazonry
• embroidery
• frill
• appliqué
• bric-a-brac
• foofaraw
• glitter
• beautifier
• garnishment
• embossment
• fancywork
• gilt
• doodad
• design
• setoff
• embellisher
• pattern
• caparison
• trappings
• furnishings
• regalia
• bedizenment
• figure

Dissimilar Words

• scar
• blemish
• disfigurement
• spot
• stain
• blot
• defacement

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

Recent Examples of flourish

Verb

Babcock likes aggressive forechecking, and most in this group should flourish in the role. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The bookshelf becomes a collective record of the times, ways of seeing, forms that flourished during particular eras, and also questions that persist across centuries. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Noun

Neither of those movements were recorded as dribbles by Opta, but his final flourish past Rohl in the 64th minute did get classed as one. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Scott, a three-time Golden Globe and Emmy nominee, publicly came out 13 years ago, and has seen his career flourish in the time since. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026