supine

Synonym Chooser

How is the word supine different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of supine are idle, inactive, inert, and passive. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

When would idle be a good substitute for supine?

The words idle and supine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

When might inactive be a better fit than supine?

The meanings of inactive and supine largely overlap; however, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut
inactive accounts

Where would inert be a reasonable alternative to supine?

The words inert and supine can be used in similar contexts, but inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs
an inert citizenry

In what contexts can passive take the place of supine?

While the synonyms passive and supine are close in meaning, passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

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 supine But today, a President Harris would have supine leftist zealots, such as Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), eager to do the bidding of their dear White House leader. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Beginner stretches include standing awareness, head hang, and supine spinal twist. Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Poses that can help with endometriosis pain include happy baby, legs-up-the-wall, and supine spinal twist. Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024 The Tesla board, which had changed somewhat since 2018 but was still supine toward Musk, also asked shareholders in effect to overturn McCormick’s ruling by voting on the pay package again. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for supine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supine
Adjective
  • What’s Next for Agencies Investing in Interactive Avatars? For marketing agencies, the opportunity lies in rethinking ad creative—moving from passive to interactive experiences that give users a reason to engage.
    Jiajun Lu, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Topics include earning passive income online, mastering communication and public speaking, acing your job interview, and practical strategies to grow your wealth.
    CNBC Make It Staff, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rather than attempt a feeble defense of himself, Nick attacks June for the same willful ignorance her mother accused her of in Alaska.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2025
  • During a question-and-answer session, shareholders grumbled about everything from the falling share price and feeble dividend of 6 euros versus 14 euros in 2023 to the complicated WiFi login process and historic lack of shareholder gifts.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Trump administration has pulled the plug on a program that provides legal help to immigrants who are determined mentally incompetent, according to a lawsuit filed by immigration legal groups.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 May 2025
  • City Council, do the right thing for once and put it on the ballot to overturn the requirement of requiring our incompetent city management to do this.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Where Chelsea’s domestic overseers have been largely acquiescent to their accounting ingenuity, the same can’t be said abroad.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Netanyahu appears convinced that his country’s security, along with his own political survival, depends on prolonging the military offensives and keeping both Gaza and Lebanon ungovernable, and therefore acquiescent.
    Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Maybe, when seeing these mass rallies, spineless congressional Republicans might fear for their jobs more from the people than the dictator-in-chief.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
  • Some great options include small palms, hardy banana, cannas, hibiscus, spineless succulents, bedding flowers, and grasses.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Supine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supine. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on supine

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