thrive

verb \ ˈthrīv \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

thrived or throve play \ˈthrōv\; thrived also thriven play \ˈthri-vən\; thriving play \ˈthrī-viŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to grow vigorously : flourish

2 : to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper

3 : to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances —often used with on

thrives on conflict

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thriver

play \ˈthrī-vər\ noun

See thrive defined for English-language learners

See thrive defined for kids

Examples of thrive in a Sentence

these plants thrive with relatively little sunlight
going to a school for gifted students will help him thrive as a musical prodigy

Recent Examples of thrive from the Web

Lineup changes In a surprise, speedy Travis Konecny — who has thrived at right wing on the top line, scoring 20 goals in his 41 games with that unit — dropped down to left wing on the third line.

— sam carchidi, Philly.com, "Brian Elliott returns; Claude Giroux named Flyers' MVP," 5 Apr. 2018
The coaches who recruited Decoud to Corvallis and helped him thrive at OSU -- Andersen and Cory Hall -- are now gone.

— danny moran, OregonLive.com, "Treston Decoud, back at Oregon State for pro day, says he will 'always speak my mind'," 19 Mar. 2018
Only when the structures of Hollywood collapse will a true genius have the chance to thrive at the heart of the motion picture business.

— stephen galloway, The Hollywood Reporter, "Stephen Hawking and the Search for a Hollywood Genius," 16 Mar. 2018
Along with Thompson's play in net, Crown Point has thrived thanks to big contributions from Kazmierczak, who has a team-high 42 points on 19 goals and 23 assists.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "Nick of time: Kazmierczak leads Crown Point into the hockey state championship game," 10 Mar. 2018
Now in its 61st year, the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup has thrived while others have faded, despite being anathema to biologists and animal rights advocates.

— john maccormack, San Antonio Express-News, "As other rattlesnake roundups fade, Sweetwater is going strong," 10 Mar. 2018
The 26-year-old from La Jolla, California, who's making his second consecutive appearance at Reds spring training, has thrived when he's been offered the chance to step between the white lines.

— adam baum, Cincinnati.com, "Reds' Brandon Dixon might be a long shot, but he keeps earning attention and opportunities," 4 Mar. 2018
While Knox and Gilgeous-Alexander continue to pace the Wildcats (21-9, 10-7 Southeastern Conference) in scoring, Quade Green, PJ Washington and Jarred Vanderbilt have thrived in roles off the bench in Kentucky's recent four-game win streak.

— fletcher page, The Courier-Journal, "Three key players are giving Kentucky basketball a big boost off the bench," 2 Mar. 2018
For years, Omarosa has thrived being the person who acts as if every interview and every scene warrants her rubbing her face with Vaseline, ready for to fight at a moment's notice.

— michael arceneaux, Essence.com, "Omarosa Is Trying To Rebrand Herself. She Should Try Harder.," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thrive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of thrive

Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

thrive Synonyms

Phrases

come into one's own, cut it, cut the mustard, get ahead, get somewhere, get there, hack it, hit it big, make good, make it, make one's mark, make the grade;