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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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
Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025
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
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
By right of his birth, the immigration officials should have prostrated themselves before Juthavachara Vivacharawongse, eyes glued to the sunbaked earth, before offering jasmine garlands and shepherding him toward a waiting limousine.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for prostrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrate
Adjective
-
Players and snaps added or lost are via the portal only (numbers do not include players lost due to exhausted eligibility or draft declarations).—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Each diagnosis brings its own set of decisions, procedures and treatments that quite frankly leave me feeling physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.—
L'Oreal Thompson Payton,
SELF,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But relying on the military to supplant the role traditionally performed by civilian law enforcement entails risks in a region where military institutions and oversight are weaker, armed forces have a legacy of human rights abuses and corruption is a perennial challenge.—
JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
January’s stronger-than-expected total was likely buoyed by some one-time factors (notably, weaker holiday hiring that meant fewer post-holiday layoffs, and unseasonably warm weather in the early part of the month that boosted industries like construction).—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Mature skin is prone to dryness, which means your makeup should incorporate skin care ingredients.—
Taryn Brooke,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Doctors already know that heart attacks, especially severe ones, are a bit more common on Mondays generally — and in the morning, when blood is more clot-prone.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Under this model, airlines, hotels, and other end-service providers may benefit, while intermediaries such as ticket booking platforms and price comparison websites may see their roles weakened.—
,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
This weakens the plant and can cause dieback.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chávez was also 14 when he was shot and paralyzed during a robbery by gang members.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Tanker traffic has ground to a near halt, 20% of global supply has been paralyzed, and the old-world energy order has been shaken.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The host Knights used their balanced attack and nine three-pointers to simply overwhelm defending state champion Etiwanda, 80-66.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Maybe the Ducks’ talent and speed will just overwhelm them.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Report downed power lines to the police.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
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Reddit user Lyngay downed a margarita made by the one and only Eva Longoria, who appeared at the Fairmont Hotel to promote her tequila company.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Simmons said Tarrant families are tired of O’Hare’s bullying, silencing and antics.—
Rachel Royster
March 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His poor metrics are the result of the Panthers looking tired and worn down in front of him, and Bobrovsky not being consistently at his absolute best.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prostrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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