How does the adjective recumbent differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of recumbent are prone, prostrate, and supine. While all these words mean "lying down," recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting.
a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed
When might prone be a better fit than recumbent?
While the synonyms prone and recumbent are close in meaning, prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface.
push-ups require a prone position
In what contexts can prostrate take the place of recumbent?
The words prostrate and recumbent can be used in similar contexts, but prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse.
a runner fell prostrate at the finish line
Where would supine be a reasonable alternative to recumbent?
The words supine and recumbent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness.
lying supine on the couch
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of recumbentHowever, people prone to falls should avoid outdoor cycling and may need a recumbent bike instead of an upright one.11 A recumbent bike has a seat low to the ground and the rider in a reclined position, with pedals closer to the front of the bike.—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025 Camper #2 will have to pedal in on their own bike, however, as the T1's recumbent cockpit only has one seat.—New Atlas, 3 Dec. 2024 There's even a SELF Home Fitness Award-winning recumbent bike from Merach on sale for $200 less than usual.—Sarah Felbin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024 Ben Kilner View 10 Images View gallery - 10 images
Traversing the width of Scotland in a canoe would be a challenge in and of itself, as would traversing it on a recumbent tricycle.—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for recumbent
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Panorama Media Ltd.,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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And because deltas are very flat and only a few feet above sea level, cities and towns on deltas are also at high risk from floods driven by storm surges and coastal erosion, now exacerbated by sea level rise.
—
Jeff Opperman,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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