thrive

verb \ ˈthrīv \

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Examples: thrive in a Sentence

Definition of thrive

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

That something is Facebook itself, which thrives not on our friendships, but on our behavioral data.

— jennifer van grove, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Is it too late to fix Facebook?," 2 June 2018
All of these different offerings show just how much the North Shore's communities are thriving cultural hubs.

— sarah bonnette, NOLA.com, "Artscape: Busy spring showcases arts culture on the North Shore," 1 June 2018
But Palo Alto Networks has been thriving recently, with nearly $2 billion in revenue last year, and a 90% surge in its stock price.

— alan murray, Fortune, "Nikesh Arora to Become CEO of Palo Alto Networks: 'I Really Wanted to Be an Operator'," 1 June 2018
Bike-share ridership data compiled by the National Association of City Transportation Officials suggest these services are thriving: 35 million bike-share trips were taken in 2017, an increase of 25 percent from 2016.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "Lyft plans to purchase leading U.S. bike-share operator," 1 June 2018
With the standout pitching of Taylor Brandon (18-6) and Carlie Darnell (6-3) and run support, the Lady War Eagles are thriving.

— rob tate, Houston Chronicle, "Oak Ridge carries momentum, confidence into state softball tourney," 31 May 2018
They're classified as Hamamiyidans — which thrived before the rise of modern mammals, which took place after the giant asteroid slammed into the earth, killing off most of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, according to Live Science.

— matthew martinez, sacbee, "Fossilized skull found in Utah belongs to newly discovered half mammal, half reptile," 31 May 2018
Saban has seen former players leave, go to rival SEC schools and thrive.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Alabama coach Nick Saban wary of possible transfer rule change," 30 May 2018
Pitchfork led the charge in proving that a midsize festival could thrive with a lineup catering to music obsessives curious about the new and unusual—the sort of people the site hopes to reach as readers.

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Does Chicago have too many music festivals?," 30 May 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;