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View synonyms for prosper

prosper

[ pros-per ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to be successful or fortunate, especially in financial respects; thrive; flourish.

    Antonyms: fail



verb (used with object)

  1. Archaic. to make successful or fortunate.

prosper

/ ˈprɒspə /

verb

  1. usually intr to thrive, succeed, etc, or cause to thrive, succeed, etc in a healthy way
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • un·prospered adjective
  • un·prosper·ing adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prosper1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English prosperen, Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperāre “to make happy,” derivative of prosperus prosperous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of prosper1

C15: from Latin prosperāre to succeed, from prosperus fortunate, from pro- 1+ spēs hope
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Synonym Study

See succeed.
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Example Sentences

He did not prosper in Britain’s selective education system of the time, which streamed children’s academic futures via an examination at age 11.

For that forest to prosper, many of the pre-existing flora and fauna have been decimated or exiled.

From Salon

Still, as the attrition rose, Scotland prospered, despite being a man down.

From BBC

They seek a policy environment that allows them to provide for and prosper themselves far more than they long to receive government benefits.

From Salon

Bashir could find his best over the remainder of the series, though the prospect of Leach continuing to prosper raises questions.

From BBC

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More About Prosper

What does prosper mean?

Prosper means to be successful or fortunate, especially in a financial or material way.

Prosper often implies success in terms of wealth, health, and happiness. But it can also be used broadly, much like the words succeed, thrive, and flourish.

You can say that someone is prospering in the present, but the word is perhaps most commonly used in the context of what will happen in the future.

Prosper is associated with its use in the phrase “live long and prosper,” the catchphrase of the character Spock in the Star Trek series of TV shows and movies.

Someone who prospers can be described as prosperous. The noun prosperity refers to a state of success.

Example: If we can continue to maintain this level of quality, our company will continue to prosper.

Where does prosper come from?

The first records of the word prosper come from the 1400s. It comes from the Latin verb prosperāre, meaning “to make happy.”

To say that someone will prosper usually implies that they will achieve financial wealth, but it almost always implies that they will find happiness or contentment in their success. In other words, to prosper is usually to succeed in a healthy way—to thrive. The word is most often used in the context of a people’s careers and successful businesses.

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What are some other forms related to prosper?

What are some synonyms for prosper?

What are some words that share a root or word element with prosper

 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing prosper?

How is prosper used in real life?

Prosper is usually used in a positive way in the discussion of financial success. It’s somewhat formal compared to a synonym like succeed.

 

 

Try using prosper!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of prosper?

A. flourish
B. thrive
C. succeed
D. wither

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