PROSTRATE Synonyms: 284 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

prostrate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈprä-ˌstrāt

Definition of prostrate next

as in exhausted

depleted in strength, energy, or freshness prostrate marathoners typically spend the day after the race recovering

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weak

lacking bodily strength prostrate with fear as the bombs began dropping

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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

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prostrate

2 of 2

verb

ˈprä-ˌstrāt

as in to weaken

to diminish the physical strength of an athlete prostrated for weeks by a bout of pneumonia

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress a widow prostrated by crushing grief

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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

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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

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 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

Division, purity tests, owning the libs, keeping their base angry and afraid, prostrating to Donald Trump, unleashing culture wars, and getting reelected are just some of the things that Republicans have decided are far more important than governing. —

S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2024 Hubbard prostrates on the ground for about a minute. —

Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prostrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate

Adjective

Isolated and exhausted, the mother is frustrated, and miserable.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Coming into the new year exhausted and disengaged won’t set the stage for career success.

Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024