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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Relevance

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Phone ban policies restrict how teens can interact without providing further resources for connection and flourishing, May says. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 28 Aug. 2026 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
Verb
The timing comes as both stars are flourishing in new eras of their careers. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026 In an interview, Stutzmann discussed her vision for the ASO, which opens its season with concerts Thursday through Sunday, and her flourishing international career. — James L. Paulk, AJC.com, 30 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
  • Is that the kind of society that the United States believes would create a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East regardless of who’s ruling Iran?
    — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Slightly more than half of Americans say Democrats would do a better job keeping the country prosperous, while only 37% believe Republicans would — the largest lead Democrats have enjoyed on this question in nearly 20 years.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of prosperous
Noun
  • The shorter serviceberry, sweet crabapple and flowering dogwoods are strong choices for small yards.
    — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • For all its flowering of original thought and creativity, the Renaissance was ultimately a time of patronage, and the patrons both held the power and used it to enrich their own palaces and places of worship.
    — Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of flowering
Verb
  • Martinez's comments have put United's leadership in the spotlight again and have broken the sense of calm at Old Trafford that Carrick had overseen since succeeding Amorim.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ivo Sacchi, who spearheaded UMG’s Switzerland and Austria operations, is leaving, with Ulf Zick succeeding him.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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