THRIVING Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

thriving 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthrī-viŋ

Definition of thriving

as in successful

having attained a desired end or state of good fortune our new landscaping business is thriving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in busy

marked by much life, movement, or activity the once thriving downtown has fallen into steep decline since the new mall was built

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in prosperous

marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically a thriving manufacturing community that is experiencing a tremendous growth in new jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thriving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of thrive

as in flourishing

to grow vigorously these plants thrive with relatively little sunlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in succeeding

to reach a desired level of accomplishment going to a school for gifted students will help him thrive as a musical prodigy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 thriving

Adjective

Contemporary artist Cody Hudson has created much of the campus's merchandise for a decade, and art director Nareo Zago left a thriving twenty-year New York agency to work there full time. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 In an endearing gesture from a multimillionaire who ran a thriving entertainment production company specializing in true-crime shows, McDonnell was coming to offer a sweet form of thanks to the bank’s sales team. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

These California entrepreneurs are thriving, and making our golden state continue to shine. — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Avoid over-applying top dressing—too much can smother your grass and prevent it from thriving. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thriving

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thriving

Adjective

In other words, the most successful sporting siblings preserve their emotional bonds.

— Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
As a result, successful commercial property management is built around business relationships rather than transaction management.

— David Crown, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of successful

Adjective

Then, the Iran war started, resulting in massive disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, once one of the world's busiest oil-shipping lanes.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Palacios brings plenty to Ipswich with and without the ball, the statement signing in a busy window who could go a long way to keeping them up.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of busy

Adjective

Maps from the period indicate a burial space near the prosperous home of Quakers James and Ann Whitall, whose property had been seized to construct Fort Mercer.

— Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
In his view, a prosperous society was teetering on the edge of a meaningful shift toward communitarianism before being yanked back.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of prosperous

Verb

A great deal of flourishing and suffering happens between people, not just within them, because human beings are relational beings.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
That distinction is crucial on Virgin Gorda, an island known for its granite boulders and tidal pools, crystal clear water, and flourishing plant and animal life.

— Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of flourishing

Verb

At present, markets have largely anticipated Andy Burnham succeeding Starmer.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Parton and my mom taught that literacy was key to succeeding — Mami regularly took us to the library, while Dolly created a nonprofit that provides free books to young children, including Spanish-language options.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of succeeding

Adjective

Tucked away in a private backyard in Ashford, one of the state’s few apitherapy huts allows people to breathe in air from thousands of buzzing bees.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026
Over the decades, the equipment evolved into today’s version of the sport, featuring a beeping softball and four-foot-tall buzzing foam bases that guide players through sound.

— Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of buzzing

Verb

Glossy tomatoes on the vine, a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano (party favors), piles of lemons, platters of antipasti, and dishes arriving from friends’ kitchens bring more life and color to a room than anything overly decorative ever could.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Rain There’s also a chance of light rain, measuring up to a quarter of an inch, arriving by Sunday across the region, and a 5% to 10% chance of thunderstorms, according to the weather service.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of arriving

Browse Nearby Words

thrives

thriving

throaty

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Thriving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thriving. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of thriving

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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