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as in prone
lying with the face downwards the suspects lay prostrate on the floor while the police searched the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prostrate

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prostrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prostrate are prone, recumbent, and supine. While all these words mean "lying down," prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse.

a runner fell prostrate at the finish line

When would prone be a good substitute for prostrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to prostrate, prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface.

push-ups require a prone position

Where would recumbent be a reasonable alternative to prostrate?

The words recumbent and prostrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting.

a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed

When could supine be used to replace prostrate?

While the synonyms supine and prostrate are close in meaning, supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness.

lying supine on the couch

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prostrate
Adjective
Johnson then stood over the prostrate Davis and fired two more times into his head, prosecutors said. Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022 As a prostrate Johnson held his head in both hands in disbelief, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chose to hold his head high. Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2022
Verb
The Invention of Reality TV, making poor people prostrate themselves in an attempt to win cash is older than color television broadcasting. Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 In one of the most striking bag drawings, a weary African rhino is stretched and prostrated by its burden of western loans. Jack Denton, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
  • Some of them wanted to dance, some spent time with their families, others just looked exhausted.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • But now, a quieter trend is taking hold in exhausted households nationwide: revenge meals.
    Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Thanks to a weak front sliding across Central Florida, Thursday will be a bit cooler than prior days.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
  • And, in the long run, economists say that will translate to a weaker economy and a lower standard of living.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
  • This natural stone is porous enough to stain, soft enough to scratch, and prone to damage from chemicals.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • This clarity prevents the confusion about who's in charge that often paralyzes organizations.
    Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The closures have angered local business owners and caused congestion on detour routes that frequently paralyzes the streets of Wharton along with surrounding communities in Morris County.
    Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Cruel and unaccountable events pile up, overwhelming any sense of normality.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
  • The ‘Willy Wonka’ phase A sweet, sugary smell overwhelms the next pod at Goodblend. Gummies in hues of orange, red, yellow, green and blue sit on parchment paper a metal tray.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The town of London, 75 miles south of Lexington, was devastated − with entire neighborhoods razed with homes reduced to rubble, downed power lines and cars flipped and strewn onto yards.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Russian forces have downed 75 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours, TASS, a Russian state news agency, reported Sunday, citing Russia’s defense ministry.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some victims are already tired of fighting this fight.
    Ashley Belanger – May 19, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
  • Susan Shalabi was exhausted - tired of traveling halfway around the world from Amman to Asuncion, tired of fighting against the soccer establishment.
    Samindra Kunti, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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