thrive
verb (used without object)
to prosper; be fortunate or successful.
had been thriving
-
past perfect progressiveof thrive.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kimora Dean, who is autistic and has ADHD, had been thriving as a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring, Md., playing jazz piano and getting good grades.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Grealish had been thriving at Everton, with two goals and six assists in 20 Premier League appearances.
From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026
In 1492, when Christopher Columbus “discovered America,” civilizations had been thriving on this land for millennia.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2025
Nothing else had changed in the environment they had been thriving in for so long, and their growing legend may have attracted trophy hunters.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2023
All the while, William Gillette had been thriving as a Frohman star.
From Charles Frohman: Manager and Man by Isaac Frederick Marcosson
