as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength
an outpatient suffering from fever, prostration, and nausea was rushed to the hospital by ambulance
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Recent Examples of prostration
The feats, the ecstasies, the prostrations and abnegations.
—
James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Travelers can also stay overnight to meditate, share meals, learn more about the temple’s Seon sect, and participate in the 108 prostrations.
—Peggy Orenstein, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025
Indeed, the Sabbath was usually one of Hatzolah’s busiest times, possibly due to the overeating that was among the highlights of the day—heart attacks, strokes, ulcer flare-ups, complete prostration due to the cholent and the kugel.
—Tova Reich, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
The attendees offered heartfelt reverence to the Buddhas, engaged in prostrations, and prayed to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for blessings upon all sentient beings.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
One death and two cases of heat prostration were called possibly due to the temperature, which was said then to be the highest in the country.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 3 June 2023
This is akin to members of Congress sporting fake kente-cloth shawls and taking a knee in a foul moment of fake reverence for ex-con George Floyd, in an act of politically correct prostration.
—Armond White, National Review, 19 Aug. 2022
By that time, the Russian public had come to regard the 1990s—with its experiment in democracy, the advent of the free market, and its unprecedented openness—as a period of national humiliation that produced undeserved wealth for a few, misery for many, and prostration before foreigners.
—Dmitri Trenin, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2016
James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Travelers can also stay overnight to meditate, share meals, learn more about the temple’s Seon sect, and participate in the 108 prostrations.
—Peggy Orenstein, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025
Indeed, the Sabbath was usually one of Hatzolah’s busiest times, possibly due to the overeating that was among the highlights of the day—heart attacks, strokes, ulcer flare-ups, complete prostration due to the cholent and the kugel.
—Tova Reich, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
The attendees offered heartfelt reverence to the Buddhas, engaged in prostrations, and prayed to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for blessings upon all sentient beings.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
One death and two cases of heat prostration were called possibly due to the temperature, which was said then to be the highest in the country.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 3 June 2023
This is akin to members of Congress sporting fake kente-cloth shawls and taking a knee in a foul moment of fake reverence for ex-con George Floyd, in an act of politically correct prostration.
—Armond White, National Review, 19 Aug. 2022
By that time, the Russian public had come to regard the 1990s—with its experiment in democracy, the advent of the free market, and its unprecedented openness—as a period of national humiliation that produced undeserved wealth for a few, misery for many, and prostration before foreigners.
—Dmitri Trenin, Foreign Affairs, 25 Dec. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostration
Noun
-
How are you supposed to do all that while fighting your own possible anger, fear, exhaustion, and more?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 June 2026
-
Suffering from exhaustion and severe frostbite on his hands, Dawa was flown by rescue helicopter to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he was reunited with his family.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The ingredient lineup champions prickly pear cactus extract, which draws moisture into the skin and provides a rich source of vitamin K to support elasticity, while Persian silk tree extract targets signs of fatigue.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
-
Women in their 30s and 40s experiencing persistent fatigue, mood changes, sleep disruption, irritability, anxiety or digestive issues may want to ask specifically whether perimenopause could be the underlying cause before accepting a diagnosis of anxiety, depression or a thyroid condition.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prostration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostration. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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