Thriving

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "thriving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is doing well or flourishing. For example: "The small business is thriving and gaining new customers every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He noted "that once hollowed-out city centres are thriving again, with growing universities, iconic museums and cultural events, and with huge improvements to the quality of life".

The Guardian

So many grouse-guzzling hen harriers thriving in the area meant the grouse population was reduced too far to sustain a commercial shoot.

The Guardian

Here were suppurating sticks of greasepaint in shades nine and five (when applied together in a thick orange paste they were supposed to give a "fleshy" tone to skin but in fact made everyone on stage look as if they were on the verge of a thrombosis); dried-up tubs of cold cream; rotting sponges with thriving colonies of bacteria.

The Guardian

Next up is Paradise Blue, about jazz musicians in 1949 whose thriving artistic neighbourhood is about to be paved over as part of urban renewal, and the third, Skeleton Crew, focuses on car workers in the last exporting factory in the city.

The Guardian - Books

Against all financial odds, the UK dance scene is still thriving; it is creative and adventurous, improvisatory and eccentric.

The Guardian

In the 1970s, this was a prosperous community, with modest hotels thriving on twin white beaches.

The Guardian - Travel

For that reason, you'd imagine cinemas are thriving, but multiplex owners may take a different view.

The Guardian - Film

Efforts to preserve the reefs lining the coast have resulted in an impressive recovery of plants and fish, and even experienced divers will be impressed by the aquatic life thriving just below the surface.

The Guardian - Travel

"For a long time, everything in Lille was ugly, or so I thought," I was told by Grégoire Morel, an assistant lecturer at the newly thriving university.

The Guardian

Revolving doors are also thriving illustrated by Deloitte's (formerly HMRC's) Dave Hartnett and NHS England's Simon Stevens (formerly United Health group and Blair's adviser).

The Guardian - Business

We left with a feeling of satisfaction that this exquisite little flower was still thriving in these high Pennine meadows.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thriving" to depict scenarios where active growth, development, or flourishing is evident. This term is particularly effective when illustrating progress in businesses, ecosystems, or personal lives.

Common error

Avoid using "thriving" to describe situations that are merely stable or unchanging. "Thriving" implies active growth and improvement, not just a lack of decline.

Linguistic Context

The word "thriving" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is growing, developing, or successful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a state of flourishing and positive progression, as seen in examples such as "thriving artistic neighbourhood" or "thriving cultural scene".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thriving" is an adjective that aptly describes something experiencing growth, success, and positive development. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in news, travel, and lifestyle content. When writing, remember that "thriving" implies active progression and is best used for situations that are not merely static. Alternatives like "flourishing", "prospering", and "booming" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Flourishing

Implies a vibrant and healthy growth or development, often used in contexts of living organisms or environments.

Prospering

Focuses on financial success and material well-being.

Booming

Suggests a rapid and significant increase in activity or success, often used in economic contexts.

Flourishing remarkably

Adds emphasis to the already positive concept of flourishing.

Growing rapidly

Highlights the speed and intensity of growth or progress.

In a good way

It refers to a positive development.

On the upswing

Indicates a positive trend or improvement after a period of decline.

In its prime

It is a state of maximal beauty, vigor, or perfection

Doing exceptionally well

Emphasizes the high degree of success and positive performance.

Advancing steadily

Suggests consistent and gradual progress toward a desired outcome.

FAQs

How to use "thriving" in a sentence?

Use "thriving" to describe something that is growing, developing, or successful. For example, "The local economy is thriving" or "The garden is thriving in the summer heat".

What can I say instead of "thriving"?

You can use alternatives like "flourishing", "prospering", or "booming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "thriving economy" or "thrived economy"?

"Thriving economy" is correct because "thriving" is an adjective describing the present state of the economy. "Thrived" is the past tense of the verb "thrive" and wouldn't be used in this context.

What's the difference between "surviving" and "thriving"?

"Surviving" means managing to stay alive or continue to exist, often in difficult circumstances. "Thriving", on the other hand, means growing or developing vigorously and successfully. Thriving implies not just existence but also positive growth and prosperity.