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
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.
Cultivate Human Capital for Tomorrow's Challenges Most critically, organizations that thrive amid chaos prioritize developing their people for future challenges rather than merely optimizing current performance. Tima Bansal, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Brennan Johnson has thrived from pouncing on these opportunities and has scored 16 times in all competitions. Jay Harris, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 Baltimore County already has the foundation — the east side dominates in logistics, the central corridor boasts gaming, tech and financial services, the west side has thriving finance and IT sectors, and the southwest leads in health care, data science and biotech. Will Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025 Their beats continue to resonate far and wide, inspiring a new wave of artists who draw from their pioneering melodies to keep the vibrant tradition of Amazonian cumbia thriving. Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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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