recumbent

as in horizontal
formal lying down The Egyptian sphinx has the body of a recumbent lion. a recumbent position

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How does the adjective recumbent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of recumbent are prone, prostrate, and supine. While all these words mean "lying down," recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting.

a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed

When might prone be a better fit than recumbent?

While the synonyms prone and recumbent are close in meaning, prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface.

push-ups require a prone position

In what contexts can prostrate take the place of recumbent?

The words prostrate and recumbent can be used in similar contexts, but prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse.

a runner fell prostrate at the finish line

Where would supine be a reasonable alternative to recumbent?

The words supine and recumbent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness.

lying supine on the couch

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 recumbent The recumbent chair and whining drill, the blinding lights and masked faces overhead, the needle, the spit basin, and the X-ray film clamped between your teeth—every detail seems designed to inflame our fears. Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 Plus, recumbent bikes are the better choice for folks recovering from an injury. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 1 July 2025 Horses need at least 30 minutes of recumbent sleep each day to fulfill REM requirements. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 Among the cyclists on the trail Tuesday was Larry Matthews, 72, of Sardis in Saline County who had brought his recumbent trike to ride. Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recumbent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recumbent
Adjective
  • Sympodial orchids, such as Oncidium and Cattleya, grow from a horizontal rhizome that produces pseudobulbs, which store nutrients and water for the plant and can eventually produce their own flower spikes.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • This way, the wing not only helps in taking off vertically, but provides lift during the transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
    David Szondy October 19, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Some experts, meanwhile, say that instead of demanding that insurers sell their stake in fossil fuel companies, advocates and policymakers should focus on modernizing regulations to persuade insurers to expand coverage in fire-prone areas.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These flat robots have multiple modes of movement, capable of jumping or crawling at multiple speeds.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Without that reliable source of ball movement, Philadelphia’s offense has fallen flat.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recumbent. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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