1
as in inclined
having a tendency to be or act in a certain way he was prone to emotional outbursts under stress

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in prostrate
lying with the face downwards quickly subdue the suspect and get him into a prone position

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prone contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prone are exposed, liable, open, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would exposed be a good substitute for prone?

The words exposed and prone are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When is liable a more appropriate choice than prone?

In some situations, the words liable and prone are roughly equivalent. However, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

In what contexts can open take the place of prone?

The synonyms open and prone are sometimes interchangeable, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When can sensitive be used instead of prone?

The meanings of sensitive and prone largely overlap; however, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When could subject be used to replace prone?

The words subject and prone can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

Where would susceptible be a reasonable alternative to prone?

While the synonyms susceptible and prone are close in meaning, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Examples 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 prone The setup of Eggers’s Nosferatu is essentially unchanged from its prior tellings: Thomas Hutter (a sweaty, often-trembling Nicholas Hoult) is a well-meaning real-estate agent married to Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), a young woman prone to spells of psychosis. David Sims, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024 Indeed, a boar-bristle brush helps distribute the scalp’s natural oils onto the hair shafts, which makes the hair smoother and less prone to frizz. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 28 Dec. 2024 Many Americans haven’t thought of inland areas as being particularly vulnerable to severe weather, but places like Erwin, in a valley alongside the Nolichucky River, are increasingly prone to disasters. Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Supporters also argued that medical debt is more prone to inaccuracies because of billing mistakes by health providers and insurers. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prone 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prone
Adjective
  • Now, with Loyd’s future with the Storm in question, Ogwumike might be inclined to look elsewhere.
    Ben Pickman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • However, buyers appear to be more inclined to get off the sidelines as pending home sales rise.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • To his right, where the prostrate body of a dying woman was jostled in the bloody fray.
    Dan Barry, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
  • On the sheer upper slopes of one of the world's most unforgiving peaks, mountaineers, determined to reach the world's second-highest summit in a record-breaking string of ascents, appear to step over the prostrate body of Muhammad Hassan - a Pakistani porter who later died.
    Eve Sampson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
Adjective
  • Moreover, even in the small percentage of the vehicles that do get calibrated, there are some service providers that don't follow the OEM procedures, neglecting important environmental controls like flat flooring, lighting conditions and target locations.
    Brunno Moretti, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Players will need to be sharp with their flat stick.
    Dennis Esser, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Its energy dominance is driven in part by strong innovation in areas such as advanced fracking and horizontal drilling, and the United States uses its preeminence to shape global energy markets and strengthen its geopolitical leverage.
    Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Seen in recent years on the engagement rings of stars like Lily Collins and Kate Hudson, horizontal settings like east-west mark a strikingly modern choice that allows more light to enter the stone, increasing radiance.
    Kate Matthams, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near prone

Cite this Entry

“Prone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prone. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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