What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excelling
Example
She is excelling in her studies and has been getting straight A's. [excelling: present participle]
Example
The company is excelling in customer service, with high satisfaction ratings. [excelling: present participle]
thriving
Example
The small business is thriving, with increasing sales and profits. [thriving: present participle]
Example
Despite the challenges, she is thriving in her new job and enjoying the work. [thriving: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thriving is more commonly used than excelling in everyday language. Thriving is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while excelling is less common and often used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excelling and thriving?
While excelling is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, thriving is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
