flower 1 of 2

noun

ˈflau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce flower (audio)
Definition of flowernext
1
as in bloom
the usually showy plant part that produces seeds flowers are always a thoughtful gift

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in blooming
a state or time of great activity, thriving, or achievement the skiing season is usually in full flower by Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in best
individuals carefully selected as being the best of a class without exception, the flower of this year's graduating class will be going to prestigious colleges

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flower

2 of 2

verb

as in to bloom
to produce flowers the plant will keep flowering if you water it and regularly cut off the dead blossoms

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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 flower
Noun
Busan partnered with Chanel to establish the award, named after Gabrielle Chanel’s favorite flower, which was last year awarded to Taiwanese actress, director and producer Sylvia Chang. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 This will encourage the future flower stalks to be tall and strong—perfect for fall flower arrangements. — The Spruce, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
Many of the region's signature experiences are found in the months between–on ridgeline paths and in meadows that flower for a few weeks and vanish. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 Over the following three years, persistent rain during flowering season caused pollination failure, cutting into his yield. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flower
  1. bloom
  2. blooming
  3. best
  4. blossom
  5. aristocracy
  6. cream
  7. pink
  8. top
Noun
  • The installation itself required nearly 60,000 blooms, and, as MFF noted, the work behind the scenes extends far beyond him.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Nelson-Ododa, who turns 26 this month, is on the threshold of stardom midway through her fifth season in The W, her eighth playing the game in Connecticut, but obviously her potential will come to full bloom in another arena, another state.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bloom
Noun
  • For large, mature plants, dividing can also help support vigorous blooming, as overcrowding can negatively impact the plant’s ability to develop blooms.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Once blooms fade, seeds eventually begin to form, the plant becomes leggy, and blooming slows.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of blooming
Noun
  • Scott William Winters plays Clark, a Harvard student who Will intellectually bests.
    — Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
  • His hitting metrics are all career bests, and he’s headed for his fourth consecutive season of 20-plus homers.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of best
Verb
  • In fact, its a concoction of 12 notes, created by master perfumer and fragrance expert Jérôme Epinette, capturing a range of blossoming flowers, jammy fruits, earthy woods, and more.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Stepping outside of the episodic nature of the show, these two episodes hone in on a subplot that’s been blossoming since the series opener.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blossom
Noun
  • The latter category, anticipating biomimicry, is well represented by the automata that captivated the aristocracy in the following century.
    — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • At last, Jones also thought, there was a chance to spotlight the dynamic between North Wales‘ working-class community and its aristocracy on the big screen, a corner of Britain’s social history that has long been sidelined.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • At Khaite, electric yellow pumps punched up creams and crisp whites.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond the patch, other options for estradiol delivery include pills, creams and sprays.
    — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cream
Noun
  • This mid-tone blue layers effortlessly with complementary hues like soft gray and creamy pink for a warm, inviting home.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Nola pitched until the sky grew a soft pink over the scoreboard.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pink
Noun
  • And there’s no such thing as an easy game, with the bottom teams capable of beating the top every week.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • After the blow, Arellano appears to get on top of Hackett, who is still struggling and appears to be trying to twist off of her stomach, the video shows.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of top

Browse Nearby Words

flowed
flower
flowered
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Cite this Entry

“Flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flower. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flower

Nglish: Translation of flower for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flower

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