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
In one of the most striking bag drawings, a weary African rhino is stretched and prostrated by its burden of western loans. Jack Denton, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 Dozens of pilgrims prostrated themselves in prayer, in violation of the status quo that forbids Jews from praying on the Temple Mount. Jns Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
  • Over time, this pattern can leave you emotionally exhausted and constantly walking on eggshells to prevent upsetting them.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Hackman was busy in the 1970s — his work also included the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and a French Connection sequel — and the regimen left him exhausted.
    Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • By late this evening, the winds will be significantly weaker.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For example, an experimental receiver aboard the Blue Ghost lander acquired and tracked navigation signals from GPS satellites for the first time in lunar orbit, where these signals are 361 times weaker than on Earth.
    Kristin Shaw, Ars Technica, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Best for acne prone: CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum 14/14 CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum $23 $19 Amazon Best for: Ensuring lasting hydration and soothing dry patches.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Francis previously suffered an acute case of pneumonia in 2023 and remains prone to respiratory infections during the winter months.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Fed officials are closely monitoring inflation and the labor market for signs of a potentially weakening economy.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The shooting left dozens wounded, including an 8-year-old boy who was partially paralyzed.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • During one of the most severe outbreaks in 1952, the virus infected 58,000 people in the US, paralyzed more than 21,000 and killed more than 3,100.
    Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The last time Wisconsin held an election for the state’s Supreme Court, Republicans cried foul over the wave of money from out-of-state Democrats that overwhelmed their candidate.
    Reid J. Epstein, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But public transit and pedestrian advocates might point to these numbers as evidence that some cities are overwhelmed by cars and need to get serious about alternatives.
    Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In this case, the Zero Day attack downed dozens of systems for one whole minute, causing widespread catastrophe and the deaths of more than 3,000 people.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The structure had downed wires on top of it, first responders stressed.
    Graham Smith, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In the skincare world, the best retinol serums are put on a pedestal, touted for their ability to breathe new life into tired, aging skin.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 24 Feb. 2025
  • If Lionel Messi and his teammates seem a bit tired and stiff in their MLS season opener against NYCFC on Saturday night, there is a reasonable explanation.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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