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Definition of prostratenext
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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
An excellent prostrate variety well suited to rockeries and pathways. Dennis Peck, oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Johnson then stood over the prostrate Davis and fired two more times into his head, prosecutors said. Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022
Verb
His prostrating himself in front of Vladimir Putin is now oily and explainable. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2026 Typically, penitents would remain outside church gatherings, demonstrating their repentance by prostrating themselves, and then publicly confess. Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
  • In real life, that often looks like lying down exhausted, scrolling and still being awake an hour later, glued to our screens.
    Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • Cattle farmer Boutros Maroun said people in Ain Ebel are exhausted.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • But lingering high ticket prices combined with weaker teams might mean sparse attendance.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
  • Tokyo wants to appear to be fighting a weak yen, while welcoming it in private.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
  • Ahead of the storm, police prepared boats and set up barricades in flood-prone areas.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The screenplay grows more complex and rewarding as the central relationship weakens, effectively forcing Sonya to deal with her exhausting boyfriend (Levon Hawke) and pushing Coley to connect with her father who, for whatever reason, spends a lot of time hand-making turquoise jewelry.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
  • This, of course, is problematic for the homegrown haters because the opposing opinion from neutral outsiders weakens their argument and should strengthen our resolve.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Barricades erected on key roads have effectively isolated the city of La Paz, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals — causing at least seven deaths for lack of medical attention, the government says.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
  • Barricades erected on key roads have essentially isolated the city of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals.
    Paola Flores, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Consider the following ideas to maximize space and add flower power without overwhelming the dahlias.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026
  • In a world often overwhelmed by heartbreak and division, the story confirms that love has a way of continuing on.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Report downed power lines to the police.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 157 Ukrainian drones from late Tuesday until early Wednesday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026
  • So tired and anxious and stressed.
    Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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