Synonyms of supine

supine

adjective

as in passive

lacking the ability or will to act on one's own

They blamed the disaster on supine politicians who allowed large corporations to flout regulations.

Related Words

• passive
• feeble
• incompetent
• acquiescent
• spineless
• submissive
• subordinate
• tolerant
• resigned
• obedient
• nonresistant
• docile
• pliant
• subservient
• yielding
• weak
• obeisant
• unaggressive
• compliant
• surrendering
• slavish
• conformist
• tolerating
• conformable
• unresistant
• pliable
• amiable
• unresponsive
• complying
• tractable
• willing
• apathetic
• uncaring
• helpless
• amenable
• incapable
• ineffectual
• powerless
• agreeable
• obliging
• ineffective
• useless
• law-abiding
• impotent
• unfit
• paralyzed
• guidable
• inept
• high and dry
• handcuffed
• hog-tied
• impuissant
• hamstrung

Dissimilar Words

• defiant
• recalcitrant
• competent
• indomitable
• refractory
• effective
• uncontrollable
• capable
• intractable
• authoritarian
• restive
• insurgent
• efficient
• able
• autocratic
• dominant
• mutinous
• contrary
• despotic
• disobedient
• insubordinate
• contumacious
• rebellious
• vigorous
• tyrannical
• dictatorial
• dynamic
• unruly
• untoward
• ungovernable
• magisterial
• forceful
• energetic
• robust
• sturdy
• wilful
• perverse
• willful
• wayward
• tough
• wrongheaded
• tyrannic
• froward
• balky
• incompliant
• undisciplined
• headstrong
• major
• senior
• unmanageable
• important
• top
• significant
• autocratical
• dissident
• high-level
• powerful
• mighty
• nonconformist
• strong
• potent
• puissant

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

Recent Examples of supine

Trump obviously isn’t a consensus politician, and, with Capitol Hill under the control of supine Republicans, the checks and balances are looking less restrictive than ever. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

Being able to consciously perform a posterior pelvic tilt is critical for any supine weightlifting exercises, such as the bench press. —Amber Sayer, Outside Online, 13 Feb. 2025

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