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
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• proliferate
• produce
• sprout
• flower
• overgrow
• luxuriate
• shoot up
• bloom
• propagate
• root
• germinate
• fruit
• 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

For a statement piece, the Crown Tree Topper is regal and showstopping, while the Marble Cake Stand brings a stage-worthy flourish to holiday entertaining. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025

That all sounds like the workaday stuff of romantic drama, but A Big Bold Beautiful Journey—its script is by Seth Reiss, who co-wrote the 2022 foodie satire The Menu—takes some wacky swings, all presented with a deadpan flourish. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Sep. 2025

Noun

Written with the intimacy of a conversation among loved ones, Someday, Now invites readers to sit with loss while still reverencing the beauty of life, parenting, and letting our children flourish. —Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025

Or the décor flourishes of a squillion-dollar yacht that’s tasteful to a fault? —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025