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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Relevance

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Before, scientists thought bilaterians primarily arose during the Cambrian period and were rare—certainly not diverse and flourishing—in the Ediacaran. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026 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
Noun
Phone ban policies restrict how teens can interact without providing further resources for connection and flourishing, May says. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 28 Aug. 2026 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
Verb
This was placed in a room where three Juszkiewicz works hinged on flourishing gladioli and calla, next to Valentino’s gowns that expressed his couture skills with sequined and embroidered dresses embellished with floral references and leaf motifs. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Tom Pelphrey’s recent Emmy win for Task only reinforces that view, as do the flourishing careers of Lewis Pullman and Imogen Poots. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 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 president fired James Comey as FBI director in May 2017 as the bureau was investigating ties between Russia and the Republican’s successful 2016 campaign for the White House.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In my experience, the difference between successful AI adoption and disappointing results rarely comes down to the model or tool.
    — Joel Burleson-Davis, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of successful
Adjective
  • Salem is a vibrant, thriving, bustling city, attracting throngs of tourists in the autumn.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Lump recommends people explore the thriving creative communities in the towns en route, such as Mendocino and Laguna Beach.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of thriving
Adjective
  • The construction is transforming what was once a coastal defense zone into one of China’s most prosperous regions.
    — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In Namibia, the stakes are high, but so is the promise of a more prosperous, wild future.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of prosperous
Noun
  • Instead, to try to deal with the crises, there has been a flowering of disjointed maritime coalition planning efforts.
    — Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The shorter serviceberry, sweet crabapple and flowering dogwoods are strong choices for small yards.
    — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of flowering
Verb
  • While most have never been rolled out to the public, one low-tech micro-transit project has been quietly succeeding in filing in some public transportation gaps and getting people around their neighborhoods — for free.
    — Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Saunders was there for one season, succeeding Mike Hancock, who resigned while citing anxiety, grief and depression in the wake of a 2024 school shooting that left two students and two educators dead.
    — Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 21 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
  • In the tottering years, a bathing bird or blossoming flower will raise a thrill in you like only a game winning home run or a Disney World vacation used to.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Take, for instance, the free-form rooftop pool which is shaded by native trees and blossoming plants and is the perfect spot to cool off from Thailand’s no-joke humidity.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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