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flourish

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noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flourish
Verb
While competition in the aviation sector has flourished since the federal government stopped micromanaging fares, routes, and who gets to fly, Uncle Sam still controls the country’s aviation infrastructure and workforce that operates it. Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 17 June 2025 Asian countries have done well, and financial élites have flourished, yet many in the middle have felt left behind. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Noun
Yet the influences aren’t only dance-oriented: The sounds of ‘80s British pop are everywhere, along with flourishes of Queen in her vocals and especially blasts of late-period ABBA in the lush strings, synth arpeggios and European melodies; there’s also a big dollop of Madonna and Gaga in its DNA. Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 June 2025 Scotland was always a draw, as was something with fantastical flourishes. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for flourish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish
Verb
  • Meanwhile, three top defenders picked shortly after him — including Quinn Hughes, Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson — are all thriving as All-Star level players.
    The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Foundational Strategies To Improve Productivity And Mental Health A company thrives when its people thrive.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • But in recent decades, new political elites and business groups have succeeded in pushing a pro-growth agenda.
    Yuen Foong Khong, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • In one instance, the group succeeded in compromising upwards of 200,000 employee email accounts, according to the Justice Department.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The next big wave of digital transformation is being driven by agentic AI.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Conquering the Pacer comeback wave feels like the final breakthrough.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • With more subtle ruffles on the tiers and floral eyelet detailing, this sundress screams romance.
    Claire Harmeyer, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • The flowy silhouette and delicate ruffle hem looks feminine and fresh, while the color pops beautifully against beachy backdrops and golden sunsets.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Seventy years later, Jews continue to prosper, and the jeers have only grown louder.
    Rachel Gordan, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
  • The genre’s eighties pioneers never got near the pop charts, though a couple of bands with hardcore roots, the Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine, prospered far away from the scene.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • My assessment of the team when the regular season gave way to the playoffs was a shrug.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • Pair it with a shrug or blazer for the cooler nights, or wear it on its own for a casual sunny day.
    Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Brooches These beautiful pins, frequently adorned with sparkling rhinestones, intricate enameling, or delicate filigree, were a staple in our grandmothers' jewelry boxes.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • There are a few digital filigrees and subtones added by the experimental pop wizard A. G. Cook.
    Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The heat is expected to shift into the Midwest and Ohio Valley by the end of the weekend and arrive in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Sunday through the first half of next week.
    Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 18 June 2025
  • Advertisement Advertisement Now, an eight-episode TV adaptation of the novel from showrunners Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries) and Carina Adly Mackenzie (Roswell, New Mexico) has arrived on Prime Video just in time for the summer binge-watching season.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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