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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 stock is prone to big moves after reporting earnings and can easily gap up if the numbers are strong. Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Find out more tips, plus recommendations for tights that are less prone to ripping. Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024 While betting odds have consistently predicted the winner of the presidential election historically, they are not based on the same representational statistics as polling and are therefore more prone to biases. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 The distinctive body is well suited for left-handed users as well as righties, but the hyper-glossy exterior is prone to smudging. PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prone 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prone
Adjective
  • Hiring may bounce back if the Fed continues to cut interest rates, as employers may be more inclined to invest more in their businesses if borrowing costs are lower, economists said.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Helwani then proposes a situation where if the UFC called ONE and offered the organization $5 million, would that then make Johnson more inclined to say yes?
    James Brizuela, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
  • Parsons, having disentangled himself from a Bears tackle, retracing his steps and leaping over a prostrate Montgomery to recover the fumble.
    Dallas News, Dallas News, 30 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • Just note that the sale comes without a milk container for flat whites or lattes.
    Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 2 Dec. 2024
  • But all of that counts for little unless there is a steady pipeline of film and TV coming through the gates – or, technically, the flat arch – that welcomes visitors.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Icicle lights: This type of Christmas light resembles an icicle due to its various lengths of vertical lights that hang off of a horizontal string of lights.
    Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The direction of the inscription is horizontal, from right to left or vice versa.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near prone

Cite this Entry

“Prone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prone. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on prone

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!