prostrate 1 of 2

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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 dire warnings that there would be blackouts, power shortages, and prostrated Germany industries unable to compete on the world market rattled many politicos and burghers, even though the blackouts never transpired and Germany exported at record levels last year. Paul Hockenos, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2013 The nuns prostrated themselves in prayer, and Father Miguel doused us all in holy water. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
  • The Blue Jays had a lead and needed efficient innings to spare an exhausted bullpen.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • This feature, essentially a failsafe, Young explained, allows CAR cells to take a break, which can be useful in terms of keeping cytokine production from getting out of control and from becoming exhausted from working too long without time to rejuvenate.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Precious metals and mining stocks were weak across both markets.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • In October 2005, a Finnish court acquitted Gustafsson, ruling the evidence against him was too weak and inconsistent.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • The discovered manipulation techniques are a reminder of the fact that every system is prone to be gamed; that the very strength of the system – ie.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT Updated July 12, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 86 years-old and his political power is weakened following the short war with Israel.
    Jackie Northam, NPR, 9 July 2025
  • The June jobs report showed strong headline numbers, but the underlying data pointed to a weakening labor market.
    Danny Bakst, Fortune, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The widespread arrests have paralyzed parts of the city where high numbers of immigrants work, such as the Flower District downtown.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • The toe-biter’s venom first paralyzes its prey and then dissolves its insides.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Still, on a partly sunny Saturday under a flood watch, dozens of volunteers overwhelmed a site near the Round Mountain Baptist Church outside of Leander, forcing traffic to a standstill as emergency personnel actively searched for missing people.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 July 2025
  • Inside, a black and grey cat thrashes around, overwhelmed.
    Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Defending champion in the women’s division, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Fla., won her 11th title, downing 33 dogs, besting a dozen competitors.
    Susan Haigh, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • Whoever downs the most hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute time period is the winner.
    July 4, CBS News, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025
  • The toll on crew members goes far beyond simply being tired.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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