supine

Synonym Chooser

How is the word supine different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of supine are idle, inactive, inert, and passive. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

When would idle be a good substitute for supine?

The words idle and supine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

When might inactive be a better fit than supine?

The meanings of inactive and supine largely overlap; however, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut
inactive accounts

Where would inert be a reasonable alternative to supine?

The words inert and supine can be used in similar contexts, but inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs
an inert citizenry

In what contexts can passive take the place of supine?

While the synonyms passive and supine are close in meaning, passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

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 supine Trump obviously isn’t a consensus politician, and, with Capitol Hill under the control of supine Republicans, the checks and balances are looking less restrictive than ever. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 Being able to consciously perform a posterior pelvic tilt is critical for any supine weightlifting exercises, such as the bench press. Amber Sayer, Outside Online, 13 Feb. 2025 But today, a President Harris would have supine leftist zealots, such as Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), eager to do the bidding of their dear White House leader. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Beginner stretches include standing awareness, head hang, and supine spinal twist. Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for supine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supine
Adjective
  • Active news consumers were much more likely to be politically engaged, while passive news consumers were much more likely to be disengaged or moderately engaged in politics.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Its bilayer design features an active layer that changes shape and color and a passive layer that provides stiffness and optical transparency.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Without getting into spoilers, her one-and-done appearance in Episode 5 presents the perfect opportunity for the more-than-capable Meester to match wits with Bell’s judgmental Joanna, only to strand the actor with boring, obvious jokes and saddle her with a feeble resolution.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The feeble light from the fire wasn’t much help.
    Bill Shaber, Outdoor Life, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The premise has the potential for slapstick silliness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside.
    Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Lauren was also charged with misdemeanor battery and theft in June 2020, per online court records reviewed by PEOPLE; that case was discharged after she was found incompetent to stand trial.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The president has been calling aggressively for lower rates and a more acquiescent Fed.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Where Chelsea’s domestic overseers have been largely acquiescent to their accounting ingenuity, the same can’t be said abroad.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • My candidacy is a symbol of the end of the weak-kneed, feckless Republican leadership of Mitch McConnell, and the spineless swamp jellyfish that are in the United States Senate representing the Republicans.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Because Republicans in Congress are spineless.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supine. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on supine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!