Synonyms of thriving

thriving 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthrī-viŋ 

1

as in successful

having attained a desired end or state of good fortune

our new landscaping business is thriving

Synonyms & Similar Words

• successful
• prosperous
• flourishing
• triumphant
• growing
• going
• in clover
• palmy
• promising
• booming
• coming
• roaring
• runaway
• robust
• gangbusters
• boffo
• socko

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsuccessful
• failing
• collapsing
• hopeless
• failed
• no-good
• unpromising
• inauspicious
• washing-out
• slipping
• folding
• declining
• bankrupt
• destroyed
• waning
• flopping
• futureless
• ruined
• wrecked
• slumping
• flunking
• kaput
• kerflooey

2

as in busy

marked by much life, movement, or activity

the once thriving downtown has fallen into steep decline since the new mall was built

Synonyms & Similar Words

• busy
• buzzing
• vibrant
• lively
• humming
• crowded
• populous
• flourishing
• bustling
• brisk
• alive
• happening
• abuzz
• animated
• kinetic
• stirring
• rousing
• hopping
• abubble
• astir
• aboil
• teeming
• overflowing
• swarming
• abounding
• thronging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• inactive
• lifeless
• sleepy
• asleep

3

as in prosperous

marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically

a thriving manufacturing community that is experiencing a tremendous growth in new jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prosperous
• prospering
• booming
• successful
• golden
• wealthy
• flourishing
• healthy
• roaring
• affluent
• rich
• palmy
• lush
• halcyon
• boomy
• moneyed
• comfortable
• well-to-do
• substantial
• opulent
• well-off
• well-heeled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unsuccessful
• depressed
• dying
• failing
• struggling
• declining
• languishing
• bankrupt
• unprosperous
• insolvent
• floundering
• bankrupted

thriving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of thrive

1

as in flourishing

to grow vigorously

these plants thrive with relatively little sunlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flourishing
• prospering
• blooming
• burgeoning
• flowering
• producing
• sprouting
• proliferating
• propagating
• rooting
• shooting up
• overgrowing
• germinating
• luxuriating
• seeding
• regenerating
• fruiting

2

as in succeeding

to reach a desired level of accomplishment

going to a school for gifted students will help him thrive as a musical prodigy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flourishing
• succeeding
• prospering
• arriving
• excelling
• making it
• getting ahead
• cutting it
• getting there
• winning
• getting somewhere
• hacking it
• making the grade
• making good
• hitting it big
• prevailing
• cutting the mustard
• coming into one's own
• making one's mark
• triumphing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• failing
• struggling
• floundering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of thriving

Adjective

Fortunately, help is available from a thriving gambling ecosystem of podcasters, analysts and TV personalities, like the analyst talking on the TV in my gym. — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Sep. 2026

The Braves, who reported $732 million in revenue in 2025, should trade for an even higher revenue multiple than the Angels because the Braves have a thriving real-estate development around their stadium, Colvin argued. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Highlanders have been thriving behind running back Chris Johnson, who has 841 yards and 16 TDs in five games. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026

Mosquitoes have been thriving amid the damp conditions, fueling the number of West Nile virus cases in Los Angeles County. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026