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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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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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
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
At the time her reporting published the clubs were flourishing. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 That one is flourishing and another is floundering represents the most frustrating part of this process. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 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
  • The announcement comes as Slayyyter closes out an insanely successful year.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, over in Asia, a top McKinsey executive laid out what sets Asia's owner-CEOs apart, drawing on the firm's research that helps filter out the key factors that determine successful leadership.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of successful
Adjective
  • To the east, the South Loop is now a dense and thriving neighborhood.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Jones lived in San Francisco, long known for its thriving gay community.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 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
  • 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
  • With Dallas Turner blossoming, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel and Isaiah Rodgers giving high-level veteran presence and the young guys on the interior of the defensive line looking promising, there is no reason to believe this unit will fall off.
    — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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