FLOURISH Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'flourish' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flourish are brandish , swing , thrash , and wave . While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement. // flourished the winning lottery ticket

Q: When is it sensible to use 'brandish' instead of 'flourish'?

The meanings of brandish and flourish largely overlap; however, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion. // brandishing a knife

Q: When could 'swing' be used to replace 'flourish'?

While the synonyms swing and flourish are close in meaning, swing implies regular or uniform movement. // swing the rope back and forth

Q: When might 'thrash' be a better fit than 'flourish'?

The synonyms thrash and flourish are sometimes interchangeable, but thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement. // an infant thrashing his arms about

Q: When can 'wave' be used instead of 'flourish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to flourish , wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion. // waving the flag

flourish 1 of 2

verb

ˈflər-ish

Definition of flourish

as in to thrive

to grow vigorously that plant flourishes in cool, wet weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to succeed

to reach a desired level of accomplishment the arts program flourished once it received adequate funding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flourish

2 of 2

noun

as in wave

Related Words

as in ruffle

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word flourish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of flourish are brandish, swing, thrash, and wave. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.

flourished the winning lottery ticket

When is it sensible to use brandish instead of flourish?

The meanings of brandish and flourish largely overlap; however, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.

brandishing a knife

When could swing be used to replace flourish?

While the synonyms swing and flourish are close in meaning, swing implies regular or uniform movement.

swing the rope back and forth

When might thrash be a better fit than flourish?

The synonyms thrash and flourish are sometimes interchangeable, but thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.

an infant thrashing his arms about

When can wave be used instead of flourish?

While in some cases nearly identical to flourish, wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.

waving the flag

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 flourish

Verb

Prior to the 1960s, the Brooklyn neighborhood was a flourishing Black community. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 Of course, Oaxaca's appeal also extends beyond the plate, with colorful colonial architecture, bustling markets, centuries-old churches, and a flourishing art scene. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026

Noun

For a final summery flourish, the artist added 3D hibiscus flowers. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026 While artichoke is its usual bedmate, vidalia onions give this snack an unexpected and delicious flourish. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flourish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish

Verb

Most landscapes do not need pesticides to thrive, so put away the chemicals.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Unearthed in 1986, archaeologists believe that the site was the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Leukaspis on the Mediterranean, which was built in the second denture and thrived until the fourth century, the ministry said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of thrive

Verb

Marine Le Pen succeeds her father as president of the National Front, launching a long-term effort to broaden the party’s appeal and distance it from its extremist image.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
But instead of playing kingmaker, the lame-duck governor has refused to get behind a candidate to succeed him.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of succeed

Noun

The first wave of Social Security payments for July is scheduled to be distributed this week.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
SoCal’s housing market growth SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has unleashed a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

There are certain landscaping features that can get your neighbors' feathers in a ruffle no matter hidden your backyard is.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
The top has double-layer ruffle short sleeves, a flattering V-neckline, and a pretty floral pattern.

— Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026

Definition of ruffle

Verb

That’s hard to imagine of a president who uses the office to promote and prosper from his own brand name.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The cyclical reality awaiting ‘naive capital’ Allianz is far from the only insurer to have prospered through recent upheavals.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of prosper

Noun

The collective shrug of Algerian shoulders would have been one of the considerations in the video review room, given that VARs the world over are lambasted for delaying the game when no one on the pitch seems interested in overturning the on-field decision.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 19 June 2026
The culprit — wearing tinted hippie glasses, a white tank top and a flower-print skirt — responded with a sheepish shrug and a smile.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 2026

Definition of shrug

Noun

American Stories is just nine songs, but pretty much every centimeter is garlanded with grabby bits of sonic filigree.

— Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Brooches These beautiful pins, frequently adorned with sparkling rhinestones, intricate enameling, or delicate filigree, were a staple in our grandmothers' jewelry boxes.

— Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of filigree

Verb

On June 23, an attendant at a gas station in the center of Moscow told CNN that tankers were still arriving and delivering fuel according to schedule.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The 2025 season was a rough one in Tim Albin’s first season at the helm after arriving from Ohio.

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of arrive

Browse Nearby Words

flounders

flourish

flourished

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“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of flourish

verb

noun

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