supine

adjective

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su·pine | \ su̇-ˈpīn

, attrib also ˈsü-ˌpīn \

Definition of supine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : lying on the back or with the face upward

b : marked by supination

2 : exhibiting indolent or apathetic inertia or passivity especially : mentally or morally slack

3 archaic : leaning or sloping backward

supine

noun

su·pine | \ ˈsü-ˌpīn

Definition of supine (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a Latin verbal noun having an accusative of purpose in -um and an ablative of specification in -u

2 : an English infinitive with to

Other Words from supine Choose the Right Synonym The Difference Between Prone, Supine, and Prostrate Example Sentences Learn More about supine

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Choose the Right Synonym for supine

Adjective

prone, supine, prostrate, recumbent mean lying down. prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface. push-ups require a prone position supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness. lying supine on the couch prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse. a runner fell prostrate at the finish line recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting. a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed

inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not engaged in work or activity. inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work. on inactive status as an astronaut inactive accounts idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements. workers were idle in the fields inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity. inert ingredients in drugs an inert citizenry passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control. passive resistance supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence. a supine willingness to play the fool

The Difference Between Prone, Supine, and Prostrate

Adjective

In literal use, prone and supine indicate contrasting positions of the body: a person lying prone is facing downward while a person lying supine is face up.

Both prone and supine also have meanings that have nothing to do with physical position. Supine, in keeping with the image of one lying comfortably idle, can be applied to those who are willing to be controlled by others, or who show mental or moral slackness, as in "supine obedience" or "supine inaction."

Prone is used in the sense of "having a tendency or inclination," as in "prone to worry" or "accident-prone." This usage is similar to such words as apt, liable, or likely (as in "apt to be late"), but in many instances prone implies a vulnerability to attack or damaging influence, in keeping with the image of one lying face down and unable to see what is approaching.

The word prostrate too has meanings to do with body position. It is used with the very specific meaning of "stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission," but is also used simply to mean "lying flat." In figurative use, prostrate means "completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise," as in "prostrate in fear."

So while prone, supine, and prostrate have specific meanings with regard to body position, they also come with situational connotations in many cases: prone suggests exposure or vulnerability; supine connotes a position of weakness or passivity; and prostrate implies submission in the face of being overcome.

Examples of supine in a Sentence

Adjective He was lying supine on the couch. a supine legislature that is afraid to take action

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective It is performed for supine audiences who are encouraged to doze off during the proceedings. — BostonGlobe.com, "In ‘Wojnarowicz’ and ‘Max Richter’s Sleep,’ two artists take on the world -- doing so in very different ways," 24 Mar. 2021 The most bizarre attraction was a merry-go-round, where the ladies, in all their finery, sat on supine Chinese mannequins and the gents rode serpent-like creatures. — Washington Post, "An 18th-century Parisian garden of delight can teach us much about what not to do today," 9 Dec. 2020 Antitrust regulators have been supine for two decades, a key reason—along with winner-takes-all technology—for the decline in competition in the U.S. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "In Stakeholder Capitalism, Shareholders Are Still King," 19 Jan. 2020 Perhaps the most depressing reflection sparked by both books is on the supine nature of otherwise intelligent observers in the face of the coarse brutalities of dictatorships. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, "The Field Guide to Tyranny," 16 Dec. 2019 The rules also prohibited physical restraints that could inhibit a student’s breathing, including prone and supine restraints. — Jennifer Smith Richards, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois amends emergency rules, will temporarily allow children to be physically restrained in positions it had banned," 4 Dec. 2019 The actions of supine U.S. corporations — most conspicuously the NBA, but scores more — reflect a mistaken extrapolation. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: China’s precarious future," 31 Oct. 2019 There has been a steady accretion of power by the executive, often as a result of a supine legislative branch. — Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: Pelosi’s impeachment decision sets up an epic constitutional battle - and a personal one," 26 Sep. 2019 Something for the weeknight Rooftop Reds is a gift of a roof bar, where hammocks perched between potted grapevines offer supine views of Downtown Brooklyn. — New York Times, "A Very Full Day at Snug Harbor on Staten Island (and Where to Eat and Drink Nearby)," 28 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.