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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
Ferrari’s press staff argues strongly that the Testarossa will sing that familiar Italian aria, with a particularly exuberant flourish near the 8300-rpm redline. Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 In the film’s only real visual flourish, these scenes are animated usually translucent, see-through animations set against b-roll of the real forest. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Despite those economic setbacks, upper-income Americans are flourishing. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 Argyle flourishes in this shift. Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flourish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish
Verb
  • Estrada thrived during spring training in 2024, made the plane for the team’s trip to South Korea and struck out an MLB-record 13 straight batters late that May.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, some of the marketers who are thriving are upstarts who cultivate online crowds.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If the effort succeeds, the project could have profound implications for the bank's employees, customers and shareholders — even the nature of corporate labor itself.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The women who did succeed, as Liz Phair notes, were pitted against one another or publicly dragged by TV and radio hosts for not looking sexy enough.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Utting believes a glut is on its way starting in 2030 and lasting until 2035 or so—right when VG is largely finished ramping up its incredible wave of growth.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Its millimeter wave radar detects and tracks targets through weather.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Prada’s ruffle back and balloon skirts felt directional.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The bodycon bandage numbers and ruffle-heavy styles that once felt trendy now read more costume than chic.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The new partnership between farmers and advocates will let agriculture prosper while protecting one of Indiana's largest watersheds.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
  • This boom also led to the rise of the Indian middle class, and urban centers such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune prospered thanks to the IT industry.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • His casual tone matched his shrug, as if discovering his aunt's journey was no more remarkable than learning the latest football results.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Last year, his Jubilee Media debate video went mega-viral in part because of its cinematic value: Kirk delivered explosive opinions with a twinkle and a shrug, absorbing the repulsion of his opponents without dropping his upright posture and cheery grin.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 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 fun begins as the other housewives arrive, unaware that the studio has decided to stage a role-playing scenario to test their readiness.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The turning point of Adames’ season arrived in early June.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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