Synonyms of thrive

intransitive verb

1
: to grow vigorously : flourish
thriving emotionally/intellectually/spiritually
Many annuals and perennials need plenty of sunlight to thrive.—Lauren David
2
: to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
One restaurant thriving as lower income consumers pull back is Olive Garden.—Francisco Velasquez
3
: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances
thrives under pressure
—often used with on
thrives on conflict

Examples of thrive in a Sentence

these plants thrive with relatively little sunlight going to a school for gifted students will help him thrive as a musical prodigy
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
True burnout prevention is not solved through individual resilience programs, but by establishing structural support and organizational trust that allows employees to thrive. — Jon Lowe, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Helping students thrive Supporting students’ mental and emotional health is not simply a matter of reducing screen time. — Roxanne Prichard, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 Israel’s still-thriving tech boom has left out huge portions of the population, particularly the young, who are being squeezed by soaring prices. — Matt Bradley, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026 The people who thrive after a move aren’t necessarily the ones most excited on day one. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thrive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thrive was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: to grow vigorously : do well : flourish
2
: to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
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