flourish 1 of 2

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
In the months that followed, Broberg and Holloway flourished in St. Louis. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Factor in Ware and Portland Trail Blazers’ big man Donovan Clingan and that’s five first-round centers who all have flourished this season. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
After garnering rave reviews on the West End — and winning its star her first Olivier — the one-woman show has made its way to Broadway with all the wit, winks, and flourishes promised by the buzz. Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flourish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish
Verb
  • Baltimore County already has the foundation — the east side dominates in logistics, the central corridor boasts gaming, tech and financial services, the west side has thriving finance and IT sectors, and the southwest leads in health care, data science and biotech.
    Will Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Brennan Johnson has thrived from pouncing on these opportunities and has scored 16 times in all competitions.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Durbin’s decision to leave kickstarts what is expected to be a competitive primary among Illinois Democrats who are looking to succeed him.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • No one in the last 25 years had those measurements or shorter and succeeded long term at left tackle.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, in New York City, Blake Lively waves to the cameras, and Joe Jonas sits for a radio interview.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Among much else, the trees shelter marine life, capture carbon from the atmosphere and buffer coastlines from powerful waves.
    Avery Schuyler Nunn, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The ruffles extend from the shoulders to halfway down the top, and there’s cute pleated detailing around the collarbone.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 7 Apr. 2025
  • With an adjustable tie-waist and other feminine details like ruffle sleeves, pleated accents, and a V-neckline, our top wrap dress finds, like this one from Naggoo, effortlessly takes your look from work to a nice dinner out.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Given how thoroughly Russia’s military, intelligence, and law enforcement elites have invested in the war in Ukraine and prospered from it, Putin’s successors will have little immediate incentive to make a clean break with the past.
    ALEXANDER GABUEV, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025
  • And Haitian leaders are still pushing for help from citizens who have left the nation long ago and prospered.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Hilton, 44, wore the intricate catsuit — which included cutouts up and down the arms, legs, sides and stomach — with a glittery, fringed white shrug to add a dash of sparkle.
    Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The duchess gave an exaggerated shrug before stifling a laugh.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But most of his filigree is sold from his studio and many are custom orders.
    Sandra Jordan, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • There were also some production filigrees that evoked Owens’ old stomping grounds, such as quick shots of reporters on the ground telling viewers to stay tuned for their coming stories.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • More than 130 cardinals will arrive in Vatican City within the week to participate in the upcoming papal conclave, selecting Pope Francis' successor.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • His picks are arrived at by watching shows, consulting voters, analyzing campaigns and studying the results of past Emmy seasons.
    Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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