Synonyms of prone

prone

adjective

ˈprōn 

1

as in inclined

having a tendency to be or act in a certain way

he was prone to emotional outbursts under stress

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inclined
• willing
• apt
• tending
• liable
• choosing
• preferring
• given
• likely
• minded
• disposed
• predisposed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwilling
• averse
• loath
• loth
• indisposed
• disinclined
• loathe

2

as in prostrate

lying with the face downwards

quickly subdue the suspect and get him into a prone position

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prostrate
• flat
• horizontal
• recumbent
• reclining
• reposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supine
• vertical
• standing
• erect
• upright
• raised
• upstanding

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prone contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prone are exposed, liable, open, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would exposed be a good substitute for prone?

The words exposed and prone are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When is liable a more appropriate choice than prone?

In some situations, the words liable and prone are roughly equivalent. However, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

In what contexts can open take the place of prone?

The synonyms open and prone are sometimes interchangeable, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When can sensitive be used instead of prone?

The meanings of sensitive and prone largely overlap; however, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When could subject be used to replace prone?

The words subject and prone can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

Where would susceptible be a reasonable alternative to prone?

While the synonyms susceptible and prone are close in meaning, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prone

The mountainous region along the coast is especially prone to mudslides, with numerous rivers at risk of flooding. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 19 June 2025

Each had played an iconic housewife, although Molly stood in fascinating contrast with Lucy Ricardo: the former was a fixer, the latter a firecracker, prone to fits of mischievous rage, then spanked into submission by her bandleader husband. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

And someone who leaves a job after only a year or two might be especially prone to overlook a modest balance − which, thanks to the magic of tax-free investment growth, eventually turns into a big balance. —Usa Today, USA Today, 7 June 2025

Eventually, humanoid robots will be less prone to physical errors that humans make. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025