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 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 See All Example Sentences for supine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supine
Adjective
  • Hughes and others began resisting orders in passive ways, showing up late or taking patrols extra slowly.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Their bigger struggle in 2024-25 was open-play creativity, with too many passive moves against low blocks that did not result in quality opportunities.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a good spot for them, though, as Josh Allen will have a lot of time against a feeble Patriots pass rush, and some people might think the Patriots’ 42-13 win over the Panthers actually means something.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In this scheme, free will was feeble, and sin could be blamed on dark forces inhabiting the body.
    Shai Tubali, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Although Beijing has outcompeted Washington in Myanmar up to this point, the junta’s woefully incompetent management of its currency and foreign reserves presents an opportunity for the United States to recalibrate its approach to the country.
    Dan Swift, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025
  • California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit!
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The president has been calling aggressively for lower rates and a more acquiescent Fed.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Because Republicans in Congress are spineless.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Many Democrats, including progressives, said the move was spineless on Schumer’s part.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Supine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supine. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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