1
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
an athlete prostrated for weeks by a bout of pneumonia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzing
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 overcoming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
a widow prostrated by crushing grief
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in downing
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 prostrating
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostrating
Verb
-
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At the end of his first year as CEO, a blizzard known as Winter Storm Elliott triggered an operational meltdown, stranding thousands of Southwest customers at the height of the holiday season, paralyzing the company’s point-to-point network, and plunging the company into a profit-killing crisis.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
No matter the scenario, Victor portrays PTSD as a paralyzing force with accuracy and grace—an all-too-rare combination.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The team overcoming those injuries defined the season.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The search company has been on the rise after putting together the pieces for its AI comeback and overcoming key regulatory hurdles last year.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Patriots have won all of those playoff appearances, downing the Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round in 2007 and 2019, while beating the Chargers in the AFC Championship in 2008.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Cathedral Catholic Girls soccer Collecting two goals and two assists while playing smothering defense, the senior led the Dons to a 2-0-1 record in the Excalibur Tournament, downing Huntington Beach Edison 1-0 in the finale.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each of the eight luxurious scents is packed with softening coconut oil and shea butter.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Fischer especially recommends making sound-softening updates in rooms with higher ceilings, open layouts, and hardwood flooring, all of which can amplify echo and reverb.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Defense attorney Leah Gillis countered that sequestering jurors would chill candid discussion and signal that open conversations about bias are not tolerated, undermining the goal of an impartial jury.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Saudi Arabia has publicly accused the United Arab Emirates – a fellow Gulf Arab state and former partner in the Yemen war – of undermining its national security, an unusually blunt charge that exposes a rift long kept behind closed doors.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Kovac has been cautious with the midfielder, gradually giving him minutes without overwhelming him.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Packers finished a season that began with Super Bowl hopes by dropping five in a row.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll midseason after blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to the Chicago Bears, a game in which rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained a concussion, dropping them to 2-8.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prostrating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostrating. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share