flourishing 1 of 3

adjective

ˈflər-i-shiŋ How to pronounce flourishing (audio)
Definition of flourishingnext
1
as in successful
having attained a desired end or state of good fortune a flourishing actor in the early years of the talkies

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thriving
marked by much life, movement, or activity a flourishing market in sports memorabilia

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3
as in prosperous
marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically a flourishing community that has become a major beneficiary of the high-tech boom

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flourishing

2 of 3

noun

as in flowering

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Dissimilar Words

flourishing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of flourish
1
as in prospering
to grow vigorously that plant flourishes in cool, wet weather

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2
as in succeeding
to reach a desired level of accomplishment the arts program flourished once it received adequate funding

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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 flourishing
Adjective
Free settlement and separation from New South Wales Allan Cunningham’s exploration of the Darling Downs pointed the way toward more flourishing settlement, which had already begun overland from the south from 1840 after the penal colony had been abolished. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026 As founding director of the cyborg psychology research group and co-director of MIT Media Lab’s Advancing Humans with AI research program, Pataranutaporn is interested in ways that people can use AI to promote human flourishing, pro-social interaction, and human-to-human interaction. — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
As a thought leader in existential psychology and human motivation, Clay translates research into practical insights that help people reach their full potential, build meaningful lives, and advance human progress and flourishing. — Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026 Pius feared that this new economic system undermined human flourishing and the common good, and drew on the Catholic Church’s intellectual tradition for solutions. — Walter Scheirer, The Conversation, 31 July 2026
Verb
By the early Seventies, Biggart had a flourishing commercial photography career, but sometimes snuck away on passion projects. — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 Relations and exchange programs between Russia and North Korea have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying ammunitions and troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flourishing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourishing
  1. successful
  2. thriving
  3. prosperous
  4. flowering
  5. succeeding
  6. buzzing
  7. prospering
  8. blossoming
Adjective
  • Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts worked a walk, which included a successful ABS challenge that turned a strikeout into a full count.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Because oddly, of all the distinguishing qualities of successful presidential candidates, ambition turns out to be perhaps the most salient.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of successful
Adjective
  • Rather than a sudden surge, the new estimate shows the population has always been strong, thriving, and secure.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The result was a scramble to get on coveted allocation lists—and a thriving secondary market where the sky seemed to be the limit.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • Improving our communication — sharing important information in a timely manner, supporting the manager in creating clear direction between departments are steps needed to unify our city and have a prosperous future for North Miami Beach.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Getting on a firmer footing now would help ensure that America continues to be free and prosperous into the future.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of prosperous
Noun
  • Deadhead blazing star during the growing season to encourage more flowering, but do not prune too soon, as cutting off the foliage may reduce next year’s blooms.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Look for signs like sparse foliage or poor flowering to know when division is needed.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of flowering
Verb
  • So, too, is succeeding in specialty/multi retailers with fragrance and makeup in the West, not just department stores.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The keys to succeeding on Wall Street are to a) make money and b) make money differently than others.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of succeeding
Adjective
  • All the joy and buzzing activity arose from humble beginnings.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Still, a supportive connection between the moon, Neptune and Pluto retrograde adds a deeper undercurrent to all the buzzing and socializing.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of buzzing
Adjective
  • Wall Street has been treating the two companies very differently over the past year, largely because Alphabet has a prospering cloud business that helps justify its hefty spending.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Definition of prospering
Noun
  • Take, for instance, the free-form rooftop pool which is shaded by native trees and blossoming plants and is the perfect spot to cool off from Thailand’s no-joke humidity.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • With their feelings for each other blossoming, the two go out for dinner, which is full of Rushville patrons with lingering hatred for Hal.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of blossoming

Browse Nearby Words

flourishes
flourishing
floury
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Cite this Entry

“Flourishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourishing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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