1
as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
prostrate marathoners typically spend the day after the race recovering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
prostrate with fear as the bombs began dropping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
an athlete prostrated for weeks by a bout of pneumonia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the huge increase in gas prices really prostrated the nation's economic engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
a widow prostrated by crushing grief
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to down
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
the boxer bragged that he could prostrate any opponent with a single blow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
That’s what pushed major tech CEOs to swiftly donate to his inaugural fund, wine-and-dine him at his Mar-a-Lago club, and TikTok to prostrate itself before him as Trump delayed a U.S. ban.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Some of the nuns prostrate themselves while praying before the Eucharist.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
That’s what pushed major tech CEOs to swiftly donate to his inaugural fund, wine-and-dine him at his Mar-a-Lago club, and TikTok to prostrate itself before him as Trump delayed a U.S. ban.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
-
Some of them wanted to dance, some spent time with their families, others just looked exhausted.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
-
But now, a quieter trend is taking hold in exhausted households nationwide: revenge meals.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Parents,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The grand jury also criticizes city officials for weak oversight and enforcement of their contract with the Humane Society, which requires the nonprofit to enforce leash laws at 400 city parks and other venues.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
Thanks to a weak front sliding across Central Florida, Thursday will be a bit cooler than prior days.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
-
This natural stone is porous enough to stain, soft enough to scratch, and prone to damage from chemicals.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
This includes adults who have weakened immune systems, cancer or other underlying health conditions, and some mental health conditions.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
This clarity prevents the confusion about who's in charge that often paralyzes organizations.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
The closures have angered local business owners and caused congestion on detour routes that frequently paralyzes the streets of Wharton along with surrounding communities in Morris County.—
Jared Kofsky,
ABC News,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
The ‘Willy Wonka’ phase A sweet, sugary smell overwhelms the next pod at Goodblend. Gummies in hues of orange, red, yellow, green and blue sit on parchment paper a metal tray.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 May 2025
-
Cruel and unaccountable events pile up, overwhelming any sense of normality.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Many of the trees downed by the storm are usable, according to Johnny Evans, owner of Evens Lumber Co. in Manchester, Tennessee.—
Asher Redd,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
-
Russian air defenses downed 296 Ukrainian drones over 13 Russian regions late Tuesday and early Wednesday, Russia's Defense Ministry said, in what appeared to be one of the biggest Ukrainian drone assaults of the war.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
While infants and toddlers between the ages of 0 to 2 years are more likely to experience a stuffy nose, cough, poor appetite, fussiness, and sleep problems, children between the ages of 3 to 5 years mainly complain of sleepiness, feeling tired during daytime, low energy and dry cough.—
Anuradha Varanasi,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Family members said Jacobs had talked about feeling tired, but not about wanting to take his own life.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share