thrive

USAGE SUMMARY

"thrive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a period of growth or success. For example, "Their business has been thriving since the new changes were implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive.

The New York Times

In a later Ask Farage programme on the BBC, the Ukip leader Nigel Farage said the rise of SNP shows Ukip could thrive even if Britain voted to stay in EU.

The Guardian

Some people thrive on strife and stress, while others prefer total tedium.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are no guarantees that such scenic landscapes will remain unscathed if business starts to thrive on the island.

The Guardian

Though devastating for the dinosaurs, the asteroid strike cleared the way for other animals to gain ground and thrive on the planet.

The Guardian

Extremists do, as Cameron said, "thrive when they have ungoverned spaces in which they can exist, build and plan" and the aftermath of the Arab spring has not just opened up new terrain but also exacerbated existing problems of lawlessness and criminality.

The Guardian

I am completely confident that the CIA will continue to thrive and carry out its essential mission, and I have the utmost confidence in Acting Director Michael Morell and the men and women of the CIA who work every day to keep our nation safe.

The Guardian

"They are coming together to rebuild a strong, Liberal Democrat party, showing that the politics of hope and tolerance can thrive in the face of the politics of grievance and fear".

The Guardian

The FT's brand of accurate, authoritative journalism can thrive, but only if it adapts to the demands of our readers in digital and in print, still a vital source of advertising revenues.

The Guardian

On Wilson's double, Howe added: "Strikers thrive on goals.

The Guardian - Sport

For those who want to see Scottish football thrive, Saturday promises to be another harrowing spectacle.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thrive" to emphasize not just growth but also positive development, flourishing, and overall success in a given environment or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "thrive" in contexts where the growth or success is based on negative or harmful factors. "Thrive" implies a positive and healthy development.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thrive" is as an intransitive verb, indicating a state of flourishing or growing vigorously. Ludwig AI examples show its use in diverse contexts, such as businesses thriving or plants thriving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "thrive" functions as an intransitive verb, expressing a state of flourishing and positive development. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, predominantly within news and media. Alternatives such as "flourish" or "prosper" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance. When using "thrive", it is best to emphasize not just growth but also positive development and overall success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flourish

Indicates vigorous growth or prosperity, similar to "thrive" but can also imply a visual or aesthetic quality.

prosper

Emphasizes financial success and good fortune; more focused on economic advancement than "thrive".

boom

Suggests a rapid and substantial increase, typically in economic terms, carrying a sense of sudden expansion compared to "thrive".

succeed

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome or goal, differing from "thrive" by being more goal-oriented than growth-oriented.

gain ground

Implies making progress or advancing, often in a competitive context, differing from "thrive" by being more competitive than developmental.

develop

Highlights gradual growth and advancement over time, less vigorous than "thrive".

prevail

Focuses on overcoming challenges or obstacles to achieve success, differing from "thrive" by emphasizing resilience.

grow

Indicates general increase in size, number, or strength, but is less specific about positive outcomes than "thrive".

expand

Suggests an increase in scope or size, often in a business or organizational context, and lacks the positive connotation of "thrive".

advance

Implies moving forward or making progress, typically in a career or project, but does not necessarily denote overall well-being like "thrive".

FAQs

How can I use "thrive" in a sentence?

You can use "thrive" to describe something that is growing or developing well. For example, "Plants "thrive" in sunlight" or "Businesses "thrive" in a strong economy".

What's a simple way to explain the meaning of "thrive"?

"Thrive" means to prosper, flourish, or grow vigorously. It suggests not just survival, but also positive development and success.

What can I say instead of "thrive"?

Alternatives to "thrive" include "flourish", "prosper", "boom", or "succeed", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "thrive on stress"?

Yes, it's correct to say "thrive on stress". This implies that someone performs well or benefits from stressful situations. For example, "Some people "thrive" on stress, while others prefer a calm environment."