What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Thrive vs Excel - What's the difference?

thrive | excel |

As verbs the difference between thrive and excel

is that thrive is to grow or increase stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, to flourish while excel is to surpass someone or something; to be better or do better than someone or something.

As a proper noun Excel is

a spreadsheet application software program written and distributed by Microsoft.

thrive

English

Verb

  • To grow or increase stature; to grow vigorously or luxuriantly, to flourish.
  • :* 1819' (though spoken by a character in the 12-century): “It seems to me, reverend father,” said the knight, “that the small morsels which you eat, together with this holy, but somewhat thin beverage, have '''thriven with you marvellously.” — Walter Scott, ''Ivanhoe
  • To increase in wealth or success; to prosper, be profitable.
  • Since expanding in June, the business has really thrived .
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=April 29 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992) citation , page= , passage=Though they obviously realized that these episodes were part of something wonderful and important and lasting, the writers and producers couldn’t have imagined that 20 years later “Treehouse Of Horror” wouldn’t just survive; it’d thrive as one of the most talked-about and watched episodes of every season of The Simpsons.}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    excel

    English

    Verb

    (excell)
  • To surpass someone or something; to be better or do better than someone or something.
  • * '>citation
  •     La Rochefoucauld, the French philosopher, said: "If
    you want enemies, excel' your friends; but if you want
    friends, let your friends '''excel''' you."
        Why is that true? Because when our friends '''excel''' us,
    that gives them a feeling of importance; but when we '
    excel

    them, that gives them a feeling of inferiority and arouses
    envy and jealousy.
    I excelled everyone else with my exam results.
  • To be much better than others.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 12 , author= , title=International friendly: England 1-0 Spain , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Lescott gave his finest England performance alongside his former Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka, who also excelled despite playing with a fractured toe, while Parker was given a deserved standing ovation when he was substituted late on.}}
  • * 1924 : ARISTOTLE. Metaphysics . Translated by W. D. Ross. Nashotah, Wisconsin, USA: The Classical Library, 2001. Available at: . Book 1, Part 2.
  • If, then, there is something in what the poets say, and jealousy is natural to the divine power, it would probably occur in this case above all, and all who excelled in this knowledge would be unfortunate.
  • (rare) To exceed, to go beyond
  • * 1674 , Paradise lost, , by Milton
  • She opened; but to shut / Excelled her power: the gates wide open stood
  • * XIX century , , by Emily Dickinson
  • I reason, we could die : / The best vitality / Cannot excel decay; / But what of that?