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

Creatively, the continent is flourishing, as African filmmakers receive worldwide recognition, scooping awards at ever more A-list festivals. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 The absence of a living monarch on our money, or on our travel documents, was not an accident haphazardly arrived at but a declaration of equality meant to be flourished and displayed. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

The finishing flourish on this new branding strategy, focused heavily on visual vocabulary and identity, was the new store concept designed by architect and interior designer Pauline Leprince. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Classic and Garden rooms are more subdued, less of a flourish of fabrics, and slightly more contemporary. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flourish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flourish

Verb

Beyond denim, Madewell thrives in the classic silhouettes and versatile designs department.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026
The ergot theory, despite being debunked within a year of being published, has continued to spread and thrive like fungus on rye.

— Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of thrive

Verb

In Our Opinion goes beyond the headlines to examine what decisions really mean, where policies succeed or fail, and what leaders should do next.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Eventually, in 1914, Jo succeeded in publishing Vincent’s letters in an ambitious three-volume book, which today is considered one of the most revealing and important works of art history.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of succeed

Noun

Two weeks later, a wave of protests had swept cities across France.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
The death of actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte was met with a wave of grief from his Breaking Bad co-stars, who shared memories of Mitte following the tragedy.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

That spirit was alive across collections, where sweet bows, light pink shades, ruffles, and even embroidered kittens made their way onto bridal looks.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
The look featured short-shorts with an open, semi-sheer tiered cape with ruffle elements.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruffle

Verb

Those African countries that undertake sustained reforms might prosper long enough to provide vast new opportunities for their people and accrue real geopolitical power.

— Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
While his off-the-field businesses continue to prosper, Kelce also recently launched a name, image and likeness consulting firm called Tekta with the marketing arm of French public relations and communications company Publicis Groupe.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of prosper

Noun

So the investors, led by Hackman Capital Partners, Blackstone and Bain Capital, piled in to buy studio space, betting that the streaming boom and Wall Street’s collective shrug at profits would keep facilities humming.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Layered over her collared top, the singer wore a textural shrug in white with an almost fringy finish.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of shrug

Noun

In the coming weeks, permanent plaza fences will be erected here — curvy stainless-steel structures that MAD Architects principal Dixon Junliang Lu compared to the lacy filigree of Art Nouveau architecture.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Around this infrastructure, Pizzini and her team reconstructed the original Muppet Theatre, from the iconic arches to the filigree to the safety curtain with the door Kermit pops out of in the opening sequence.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of filigree

Verb

Subject to eligibility, these trials usually last for just a few days, so be sure to cancel your subscription before your first bill arrives.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
Reports indicate that several hundred protesters followed that directive, arriving in downtown Milan and, eventually, clashing with police.

— Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrive

Browse Nearby Words

flounders

flourish

flourished

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Style

“Flourish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flourish. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flourish

verb

noun

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