1
as in thrives
to grow vigorously
that plant flourishes in cool, wet weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in succeeds
to reach a desired level of accomplishment
the arts program flourished once it received adequate funding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flourishes
New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The photosynthetic blue-green algae typically flourishes during the warmer months of summer and autumn, particularly in an environment with excess nutrients—a process known as eutrophication.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
Thompson-Hernández acknowledges that while Watts might be a small community, a relative sliver of greater Los Angeles, imagination flourishes in the most circumscribed places.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Since the surprise opening of a physical bookstore in 2015, Amazon has tried and failed to establish a foothold under its own brand in categories from groceries to fashion, often with technology flourishes like digital price tags or novel checkout methods.
—Bloomberg, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Fort Lauderdale wants to increase the number of trees to clean the air, cool the streets and create spaces where life flourishes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The Simple Life alum’s gown featured a corset-style bodice encrusted with rhinestone flourishes down the front and a daring hip-high slit, which exposed her legs and a pair of sparkly silver pointy-toed stilettos.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
It is linked to nature and that which flourishes and regenerates.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025
Dries Van Noten, Proenza Schouler, and Dior leaned into drama with bold designs that demanded attention—flourishes befitting their new creative directors.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
This trade flourishes on Telegram because it is known for its minimal oversight of illicit content.
—New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The photosynthetic blue-green algae typically flourishes during the warmer months of summer and autumn, particularly in an environment with excess nutrients—a process known as eutrophication.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026
Thompson-Hernández acknowledges that while Watts might be a small community, a relative sliver of greater Los Angeles, imagination flourishes in the most circumscribed places.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
Since the surprise opening of a physical bookstore in 2015, Amazon has tried and failed to establish a foothold under its own brand in categories from groceries to fashion, often with technology flourishes like digital price tags or novel checkout methods.
—Bloomberg, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Fort Lauderdale wants to increase the number of trees to clean the air, cool the streets and create spaces where life flourishes.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
The Simple Life alum’s gown featured a corset-style bodice encrusted with rhinestone flourishes down the front and a daring hip-high slit, which exposed her legs and a pair of sparkly silver pointy-toed stilettos.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
It is linked to nature and that which flourishes and regenerates.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025
Dries Van Noten, Proenza Schouler, and Dior leaned into drama with bold designs that demanded attention—flourishes befitting their new creative directors.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourishes
Verb
-
But showers are optimal environments for mold, which thrives in warm, damp areas.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Cronin’s system wasn’t jibing with a point guard who thrives in transition and a center unfamiliar with the paint.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Chan succeeds Herman Wong, who has resigned from the position to pursue other interests.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Pal Zileri has a new chief executive officer, Carlo Anceschi, who succeeds Leone Scordo.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And her signature glam doesn’t stop there—Clooney is known for her thick, glossy brown mane, often blow-dried into bombshell waves.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Visible light passes through the gaps, but the high-energy waves of an EMP are snagged and neutralized by the conductive pattern.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mancuso’s cascading lines and shimmering filigrees are dazzling, yet almost instantly bring to mind the work of Beck, Vai, Eric Johnson, Eddie Van Halen and other legends who inspired him.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The project arrives at a moment when conversations about Black maternal health often flatten into statistics, stripped of interiority.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Mariah Carey arrives at the airport in style ahead of the Milano-Cortina Olympic games where she is set to perform.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After pouring out all of Tallulah’s earthly possessions — loose cash, thongs, several vapes, Bubble Tape — Paulena takes the bag and flounces off, leaving Tallulah vibrating with rage and Maia quietly panicking.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Which is a long way of saying that Live Nation prospers at least somewhat because its executives uniquely saw a future in the concert space that its competitors did not.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Perhaps Javier prospers in ways Alcantara couldn’t.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
While it was made in the ‘90s, the collection (which showed slip dresses, shirts with undulating ruffles, and jacquard silk jackets constructed to look permanently burst-open) was inspired by the romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Styled by Rose and Mackenzie Grandquist, Jenner wore a cream halterneck made of undulating ruffles, paired with a swishy, double-layer black and cream skirt that cascaded into a liquidy train.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flourishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourishes. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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