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

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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
Lafita’s cart was filled with red roses and white ginger lilies, Cuba’s national flower. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026 The study suggests the pattern may have evolved independently as camouflage, helping the bugs blend in with the plants' red and orange flowers. — Bryan West, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
To prevent overcrowding, Abdi recommends dividing this flowering perennial every three years or so, which will help keep its size in check. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026 But on Wednesday, Chris Bonelli, Waymo’s product communications manager, summoned one of the all-electric, custom robotaxis to the flowering neighborhood park not far from Cherry Creek to demonstrate the technology to the press. — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 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
  • Temperatures are at record highs, currents are shifting and stronger storms wash more pollutants into the water, including sewage and fertilizers, which can trigger huge algae blooms.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Like much of Florida and the entire Caribbean, Cancún experienced significant blooms throughout 2026.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bloom
Noun
  • Cutting back is done in mid-summer when foliage looks ragged and blooming slows to increase plant vigor, control height, and encourage a second flush of blooms.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 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
  • Benton had career bests in tackles (51), tackles for loss (6) and sacks (5 1/2) while helping the Steelers to the AFC North title.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With the three-row Kia Sorento, the Hyundai Palisade retains the South Korean brands’ 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, both segment and industry bests.
    — James Raia, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of best
Verb
  • Rather than trade Ohtani for Caminero, who has blossomed into a two-time All-Star at 23, the team added at the deadline in hopes of sneaking into the wild-card race.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Now the extraordinary, blossoming Matisse faces in the direction of the original site for which it was designed, like a living memory.
    — George Baker, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of blossom
Noun
  • After this, there will be a lot of going back and forth across the Channel; crimes of the aristocracy; Darnay’s own Big Secret revealed; more trials, more imprisonments.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Just a few days earlier at Palazzo Brancaccio, the ladies of the Roman aristocracy had vied to appear in the ballroom scenes, perhaps hoping to meet Gregory Peck.
    — Daria Egidi, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of aristocracy
Noun
  • An agreement paramount to Idaho dairy Idaho’s dairy industry may see the biggest impacts from the Canadian tariffs, which will target milk, cream and whey at 50%, and cheese at 25%.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The portable, retractable cream stick delivers warmth and definition rather than a wash of color, blending easily across the cheekbones, temples, and other areas where the sun naturally hits.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cream
Noun
  • Her humdrum life gives way to beach bonfires at sunset (lensed by Tudor Vladimir Panduru and Fabian Gamper in stunning dusky blues and pinks) and skinny-dipping in the river.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The lamp is available in 26 different color options for the base and top and spans from vivid neon yellow to mellow pink.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pink
Noun
  • While dark-wash jeans, trench coats, and sweaters may be top of mind, don’t forget your footwear.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Here’s a snapshot of those findings (not in chronological order, because AI’s top of mind these days; plus, my colleague made a cool interactive graphic for you).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of top

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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 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flower

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flower

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