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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
The dire warnings that there would be blackouts, power shortages, and prostrated Germany industries unable to compete on the world market rattled many politicos and burghers, even though the blackouts never transpired and Germany exported at record levels last year. Paul Hockenos, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2013 The nuns prostrated themselves in prayer, and Father Miguel doused us all in holy water. Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
  • Pop music, like the rest of American society, has reached the exhausted endpoint of the taboo-litigation mania that’s marred the past decade of our national life.
    Armin Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
  • You’re exhausted in the morning and energized by the afternoon.
    Kelly Stiefel Arias, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Witness the rally in the railroads last week that crushed shorts banking on weaker transport earnings.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 July 2025
  • This weak cash generation capability raises questions about the company’s ability to fund growth investments and return capital to shareholders.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • The discovered manipulation techniques are a reminder of the fact that every system is prone to be gamed; that the very strength of the system – ie.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT Updated July 12, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.
    Miguel Cardona, Time, 21 July 2025
  • This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • House Republicans, paralyzed by internal fighting over the Jeffrey Epstein files, will embark early for a lengthy summer recess later this week after canceling votes on Thursday.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2025
  • With the House floor paralyzed, House GOP leaders announced on Tuesday that the chamber is leaving for a five-week district work period a day earlier than expected.
    Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • With no hemming required, each one of these matching sets won’t drag on the floor or overwhelm your small frame.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2025
  • In greater numbers than ever, children hollowed up by hunger are overwhelming the Patient’s Friends Hospital, the main emergency center for malnourished kids in northern Gaza.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The rate of downing Shaheds dopped from 95% or more to 86% last month, so around three times as many were getting through.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior Doman averaged 42.6 yards on 49 punts this past season, including 15 downed inside the 20 and 10 of 50 yards or longer.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Already, 47% of clinicians report that being tired has impacted their abilities to treat patients.
    Victoria Feng, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • His legs are going to be a little tired, as to be expected.
    Roderick Boone Updated July 11, Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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