thrive

verb

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)

intransitive verb

1
: to grow vigorously : flourish
2
: to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
3
: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances
often used with on
thrives on conflict
thriver noun

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 The thriving complex with multiple programs on the south side is nearing completion of a $6 million improvement project that includes adding a third floor to what was previously the two stories of the largest of its several buildings. Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2024 Now the ancient Mayan city is walking distance from a thriving beach scene. Matthew Pillsbury Nicholas Casey, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Between the two points is a series of dams that have turned the river’s once-turbid warm waters into a thriving trout fishery. Tim Romano, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024 The scene is a vivid and poignant snapshot, captured by archaeologists, of a once thriving community in late Bronze Age Britain known as Must Farm, near what’s now the town of Peterborough. Katie Hunt, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Today, Mexico City provides her with a higher quality of life, fresh food, a thriving community of skilled female artisans and a more holistic approach to life. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Mar. 2024 Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs proclaimed March Arizona Wine Month in 2023 in honor of the young, yet thriving industry that has tripled in volume since 2012, generating $155.9 million in annual business revenues and $33.7 million in annual wine tourism spending, according to the proclamation. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 The highway project destroyed more than 500 homes, nearly two dozen businesses and a thriving Black cultural district in West Oakland. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 Offshoring turned thriving industrial centers to rust. TIME, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thrive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thrive was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near thrive

Cite this Entry

“Thrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thrive

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on thrive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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