recumbent

as in horizontal
formal lying down The Egyptian sphinx has the body of a recumbent lion. a recumbent position

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective recumbent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of recumbent are prone, prostrate, and supine. While all these words mean "lying down," recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting.

a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed

When might prone be a better fit than recumbent?

While the synonyms prone and recumbent are close in meaning, prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface.

push-ups require a prone position

In what contexts can prostrate take the place of recumbent?

The words prostrate and recumbent can be used in similar contexts, but prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse.

a runner fell prostrate at the finish line

Where would supine be a reasonable alternative to recumbent?

The words supine and recumbent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 recumbent There's even a SELF Home Fitness Award-winning recumbent bike from Merach on sale for $200 less than usual. Sarah Felbin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024 Ben Kilner View 10 Images View gallery - 10 images Traversing the width of Scotland in a canoe would be a challenge in and of itself, as would traversing it on a recumbent tricycle. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024 Type of bike Generally, there are five different types of exercise bikes: upright, recumbent, spin, air, or folding-style. Danielle Dimeglio, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024 The reissue contains a new preface by Benjamin Moser, the biographer of Susan Sontag, one of Hujar’s dear friends, who wrote the introduction to the first edition, and also appears in an iconic picture therein, recumbent with upraised arms folded to cradle her head. Jackson Davidow, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for recumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recumbent
Adjective
  • With the first option, businesses can use an agentic framework platform to handle some of their more horizontal tasks.
    Rodrigo Madanes, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Miami-Dade and FPL analyzed more than a dozen options to beef up the utility’s saltwater pumping abilities, including the possibility of installing horizontal wells that can reach even further into the deeper end of the plume to sip up the salt water.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis had an acute case of pneumonia in 2023 and is prone to respiratory infections in winter.
    Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The White Sox will actually pay you to come to games, while Bulls tickets have been pretty flat lately, but still very expensive.
    Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Since the start of December, the Dow is down 2%, while the S&P 500 is effectively flat.
    Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recumbent. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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