verb

thrive

/θraɪv/ · say it: THRYVV

to grow or develop successfully

In Actions & Behavior

In more detail

1. (verb) to grow, develop, or be successful; to do well

2. (verb) to become stronger and healthier

Examples

1. The business thrived after they opened new locations.
2. These plants thrive in warm, sunny conditions.

How to use thrive

Thrive describes growth and success across contexts—businesses, relationships, plants, or personal development. It emphasizes vigorous, healthy development and often implies favorable conditions or adaptation. Unlike succeed, which focuses on achieving a goal, thrive emphasizes the organism or entity itself becoming stronger and fuller.

Common phrases

thrive on
thrive in
thrive despite
help someone thrive
business thrives

Synonyms

flourish · prosper · succeed · excel · bloom

Opposites

languish · struggle · decline

Word family

thriving · thrives · thrived · throve

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use thrive with objects as if it were a simple transitive verb (e.g., 'thrive success') when it is primarily intransitive or requires a preposition like 'on' or 'in'.

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