1
as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
prostrate marathoners typically spend the day after the race recovering
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
prostrate with fear as the bombs began dropping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
a widow prostrated by crushing grief
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4
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prostrate
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
Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
King David named it as a site for prayer and would prostrate himself there.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Basically a man who had built a solid reputation as a career university president naively entered the Church of Florida Autocracy, donned sackcloth and ashes and prostrated himself … ultimately for no heavenly reward whatsoever.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
King David named it as a site for prayer and would prostrate himself there.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
-
Several hours — and what was probably pounds of foundation — later, an exhausted Diaz had to get back to the New Orleans airport to catch his flight while the rest of the team was at the stadium.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also warned that exhausted, stressed and overworked controllers, many of whom have reported needing to get second jobs to cover bills while their paychecks are paused, could increase risks of issues arising at airports, and more have been calling in sick.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The company attributed the decline to weak demand, shifting some shipments to Q4 and an unfavorable mix.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
-
It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant women.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If your dog is prone to excessive barking, dog behaviorist Cesar Millan has some suggestions to fix that.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Lie prone on the mat with your arms stretched overhead.—
Leoni Jesner,
Health,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
With some estimates putting wave heights as much as 35 feet, weakened hatch covers would have been vulnerable to such waves.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The years of horrific violence have weakened Sudan, plunging its institutions into chaos and making its population more vulnerable and poorer.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At least a million monkeys died in the race to develop vaccines for polio, which had previously paralyzed thousands of children each year.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Their venom is typically used to paralyze their prey, but is not thought to have an effect on the human nervous system.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Those skills will likely overwhelm just about every competitor this trio faces this season.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
And even if a few curve balls come in, that doesn’t necessarily overwhelm me.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Report downed power lines to the police.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Frazer pointed to a memorable scene when last year’s USA Mosconi Cup captain, Skyler Woodward, won a doubles match with Gorst and then asked the crowd for two beers, which the pair downed while the American fans soaked up the antics and cheered them on.—
Jeremy Herb,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Stein conducted experiments under James’s supervision, but quickly tired of studying her subjects’ responses and preferred talking with them and tracking their characters.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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