1
as in inclined
having a tendency to be or act in a certain way he was prone to emotional outbursts under stress

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in prostrate
lying with the face downwards quickly subdue the suspect and get him into a prone position

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 prone Look for ones made with borosilicate or tempered glass that are designed to be sturdier and less prone to chipping or breaking. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 Why didn’t evolution produce a more dependable version of the human body, less prone to malfunction and decay? Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025 Located on the Kuril–Kamchatka subduction zone, Kamchatka is prone to frequent seismic events due to ongoing tectonic activity between the Pacific and Okhotsk plates. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025 The hydrodynamic prototype is made to withstand tropical storms, demonstrates how OTEC could deliver resilient and reliable energy to storm-prone regions. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prone
Adjective
  • That makes the German more inclined to start with Welbeck, as Rutter is the only alternative.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Marginson says that while many students and faculty have opposed the compact, university presidents and boards may be more inclined to accept.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • To his right, where the prostrate body of a dying woman was jostled in the bloody fray.
    Dan Barry, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
  • On the sheer upper slopes of one of the world's most unforgiving peaks, mountaineers, determined to reach the world's second-highest summit in a record-breaking string of ascents, appear to step over the prostrate body of Muhammad Hassan - a Pakistani porter who later died.
    Eve Sampson, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
Adjective
  • The ballet flat aesthetic displayed on Thursday contrasted with Rodrigo’s go-to concert shoe look.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The top lays flat, giving the bob a buss down appearance.
    Donnetta Monk, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sympodial orchids, such as Oncidium and Cattleya, grow from a horizontal rhizome that produces pseudobulbs, which store nutrients and water for the plant and can eventually produce their own flower spikes.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • This way, the wing not only helps in taking off vertically, but provides lift during the transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
    David Szondy October 19, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prone. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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