thrive

verb

ˈthrīv How to pronounce thrive (audio)
thrived or throve ˈthrōv How to pronounce thrive (audio) ; thrived also thriven ˈthri-vən How to pronounce thrive (audio) ; thriving ˈthrī-viŋ How to pronounce thrive (audio)
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
thriver
ˈthrī-vər How to pronounce thrive (audio)
noun

Synonyms of thrive

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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.
In spite—or because—of that emphasis on the purely physical, Capra thrived. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 After all, Jonathan, who was probably alive for President Andrew Jackson's second inauguration in 1833, is still thriving. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 The once-thriving Lebanese Jewish community has been largely forgotten in the decades since most of them left the country. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Inside linebackers Bobby Okereke and Devin Lloyd each earned a sack, and without the worry of Hurts’ scrambling ability, this defensive front-seven thrived. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 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

Phrases Containing thrive

Rhymes for thrive

See All Rhymes for thrive

Browse Nearby Words

thristle
thrive
thriveless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thrive

verb
ˈthrīv How to pronounce thrive (audio)
thrived or throve ˈthrōv How to pronounce thrive (audio) ; thrived also thriven ˈthriv-ən How to pronounce thrive (audio) ; thriving ˈthrī-viŋ How to pronounce thrive (audio)
1
: to grow vigorously : do well : flourish
2
: to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
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