thrive

verb \ ˈthrīv \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 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

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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

The idea threatens to overturn one of the tenets of how to thrive as a large network carrier.

— nicolas parasie, WSJ, "Chateau Margaux for Seat 2A: Emirates Rewrites Rules for Airlines," 12 July 2018
Francona saw Allen as his wild card, in part because the club already had established late-inning relievers but also because Allen was a pitcher who could work in multiple roles and thrive in pressure situations.

— roy parry, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Boone High alum Cody Allen sets Cleveland Indians' career saves mark," 13 July 2018
The elite physical gifts were there from the beginning, with Humphreys thriving in jump-ball situations thanks to his 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame.

— andrew turner, latimes.com, "CdM’s John Humphreys a person of interest for college football recruiters," 12 July 2018
Spadaro said the dark false mussels thrive in fresher waters.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Explosion of false dark mussels revives hopes for clearer waters and concern for dogs in Anne Arundel County," 11 July 2018
Our cool months, December through February, are the preferred months to plant blueberries, which thrive in low PH acid soil.

— stan davidson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "With patience, blueberries can be grown in containers," 10 July 2018
Ed Yong at The Atlantic reports that a new study in the journal Nature shows that reefs around islands where seabird populations are thriving—and defecating—clearly fare much better than those where bird populations have been wiped out.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Coral Reefs Need Fewer Rats and More Bird Poo," 12 July 2018
By embracing elements of 1980s pop and rock — with a dash of African high-life rhythms — Williams and her latest band seem to be thriving anew.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Paramore, back on road with 'The After Laughter Summer Tour,' soldiers through upheavals, depression," 12 July 2018
Islam is one of 138 men who died in the first two months of a crackdown on Bangladesh’s thriving drug trade, launched on May 3 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

— vidhi doshi, Washington Post, "138 people killed in 2 months in Bangladesh police crackdown on drug dealers," 12 July 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;