1
as in exhausted
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
prostrate marathoners typically spend the day after the race recovering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
a widow prostrated by crushing grief
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022
As a prostrate Johnson held his head in both hands in disbelief, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chose to hold his head high.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2022
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 May 2025
The dire warnings that there would be blackouts, power shortages, and prostrated Germany industries unable to compete on the world market rattled many politicos and burghers, even though the blackouts never transpired and Germany exported at record levels last year.
—Paul Hockenos, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2013
See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Adjective
Johnson then stood over the prostrate Davis and fired two more times into his head, prosecutors said.
—Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022
As a prostrate Johnson held his head in both hands in disbelief, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chose to hold his head high.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2022
Verb
Lydia prostrates herself on the floor of the Red Center.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 May 2025
The dire warnings that there would be blackouts, power shortages, and prostrated Germany industries unable to compete on the world market rattled many politicos and burghers, even though the blackouts never transpired and Germany exported at record levels last year.
—Paul Hockenos, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2013
See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
-
Ortega’s hair extensions were removed and her eye makeup was toned-down, which gave way to her effortlessly exhausted countenance.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The show can be exceedingly gory — there’s a scene of exacting, exhausted revenge that comes at the hands of a rare woman warrior — but I was taken with some of the more theatrical details around these moments of violence, including the exchange of insults that precede the final battle.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And if tariffs only cause a one-time jump in prices, weaker purchasing power could slow the economy.—
Raul Elizalde,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The airline cited weak travel demand and financial challenges.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And for older folks who often feel cold and are prone to bundling up, covering the skin in warm weather can be dangerous.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The stock is prone to big moves after reporting earnings and can easily gap up if the numbers are strong.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
-
For Trump, whose political brand has long relied on projecting authenticity to his base, a sustained decline in honesty ratings could weaken his ability to roll out his agenda.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Planes, ambulances and even tractors would be paralyzed.—
Jerald Fritz,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Focusing Only On What’s Happening Now Uncertainty paralyzes innovation.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Don’t be afraid to refuse additional tasks that could overwhelm you.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Given that the implementation of all this may overwhelm hospital waiting rooms and beds, overcrowd jails and prisons and require public housing, several questions arise.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The air force downed or suppressed 87.2% of all drones and 73% of missiles during June.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Much of the Pacific coast of North America, spanning from British Columbia in Canada to down the U.S. West Coast and into Mexico was under a tsunami advisory.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The tired belief that Republicans are better at handling the economy simply isn’t true.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Morticia reams Thing out for failing to be loyal to her and Gomez; Thing is tired of being treated like a servant.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share