prostrate

1 of 2

adjective

pros·trate ˈprä-ˌstrāt How to pronounce prostrate (audio)

: stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission

also : lying flat

: completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise

was prostrate from the heat

: trailing on the ground : procumbent

prostrate shrubs

prostrate

2 of 2

verb

pros·trate ˈprä-ˌstrāt How to pronounce prostrate (audio)

especially British prä-ˈstrāt

prostrated; prostrating

transitive verb

: to throw or put into a prostrate position

: to put (oneself) in a humble and submissive posture or state

the whole town had to prostrate itself in official apology

Claudia Cassidy

: to reduce to submission, helplessness, or exhaustion

was prostrated with grief

Did you know?

The Difference Between Prone, Supine, and Prostrate

In literal use, prone and supine indicate contrasting positions of the body: a person lying prone is facing downward while a person lying supine is face up.

Both prone and supine also have meanings that have nothing to do with physical position. Supine, in keeping with the image of one lying comfortably idle, can be applied to those who are willing to be controlled by others, or who show mental or moral slackness, as in "supine obedience" or "supine inaction."

Prone is used in the sense of "having a tendency or inclination," as in "prone to worry" or "accident-prone." This usage is similar to such words as apt, liable, or likely (as in "apt to be late"), but in many instances prone implies a vulnerability to attack or damaging influence, in keeping with the image of one lying face down and unable to see what is approaching.

The word prostrate too has meanings to do with body position. It is used with the very specific meaning of "stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission," but is also used simply to mean "lying flat." In figurative use, prostrate means "completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise," as in "prostrate in fear."

So while prone, supine, and prostrate have specific meanings with regard to body position, they also come with situational connotations in many cases: prone suggests exposure or vulnerability; supine connotes a position of weakness or passivity; and prostrate implies submission in the face of being overcome.

Example Sentences

Adjective The police found the body in a prostrate position. She was lying prostrate on the bed. They were prostrate from the heat. Verb an athlete prostrated for weeks by a bout of pneumonia the huge increase in gas prices really prostrated the nation's economic engine

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

An excellent prostrate variety well suited to rockeries and pathways.

Dennis Peck, oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Johnson then stood over the prostrate Davis and fired two more times into his head, prosecutors said.

Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022 As a prostrate Johnson held his head in both hands in disbelief, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chose to hold his head high.

Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2022 Environmentalists have long pushed for prostrate milkweed protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Li Cohen, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2022 Most were silently prostrate on their backs, their paws limp in the air, passed out in the nearly 100-degree heat.

New York Times, 19 Jan. 2022 Thomas Hayer, a twenty-two-year-old member of the Newark Mosque, fired insurance rounds at the prostrate Malcolm, hitting him in his left ankle.

Les Payne, The New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2020 The question is never just a question; the subject is helpless to her storytelling, a rigorous empathy that was like refuge to the Duke and Duchess, who have long been prostrate to the narratives of the tabloids.

Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2021 The doctor leaves his dead son and prostrate wife to go with the excited young man.

Kurt Vonnegut, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2020

Verb

Cheney’s once promising career in the House of Representatives was over, at least for now, a casualty of her refusal to prostrate herself at the altar of Trump.

Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 His father merely wanted Mugur to prostrate himself with repentance and patriotic vows.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2021 Local officials across hard-knock America prostrate themselves for a chance to host it.

Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2021 Such actions are unprecedented in Thailand, where those waiting for a royal motorcade regularly sit on the ground or prostrate themselves.

Grant Peck And Chris Blake, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2020 Naird’s situation is of a man with ramrod-straight posture prostrated and disarrayed at many odd angles.

Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, 28 May 2020 That same confidence is also what led Minlend to prostrate on the court, dejected, after USF’s season came to a close with a narrow loss to juggernaut Gonzaga on March 9.

Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 15 Apr. 2020 During that service, in a sign of humble obedience, Francis prostrated himself for a few minutes on the basilica floor.

NBC News, 11 Apr. 2020 But my resolution wasn’t a self-righteous, self-prostrating chore.

Max De Haldevang, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019 See More

Kids Definition

prostrate 1 of 2

adjective

pros·trate ˈprä-ˌstrāt How to pronounce prostrate (audio)

: lying with the face turned toward the ground

: lacking strength or energy

I'm prostrate with a cold.

prostrate

2 of 2

verb

prostrated; prostrating

: lie on the ground with the face down

Worshippers prostrated themselves on the ground.

: to bring to a weak and powerless condition

The widow was prostrated with grief.

单词	prostrated
释义	prostrate 1 of 2 adjective pros·trate ˈprä-ˌstrāt 1 : stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission also : lying flat 2 : completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise was prostrate from the heat 3 : trailing on the ground : procumbent prostrate shrubs prostrate 2 of 2 verb pros·trate ˈprä-ˌstrāt especially British prä-ˈstrāt prostrated; prostrating transitive verb 1 : to throw or put into a prostrate position 2 : to put (oneself) in a humble and submissive posture or state the whole town had to prostrate itself in official apology Claudia Cassidy 3 : to reduce to submission, helplessness, or exhaustion was prostrated with grief Did you know? The Difference Between Prone, Supine, and Prostrate In literal use, prone and supine indicate contrasting positions of the body: a person lying prone is facing downward while a person lying supine is face up. Both prone and supine also have meanings that have nothing to do with physical position. Supine, in keeping with the image of one lying comfortably idle, can be applied to those who are willing to be controlled by others, or who show mental or moral slackness, as in "supine obedience" or "supine inaction." Prone is used in the sense of "having a tendency or inclination," as in "prone to worry" or "accident-prone." This usage is similar to such words as apt, liable, or likely (as in "apt to be late"), but in many instances prone implies a vulnerability to attack or damaging influence, in keeping with the image of one lying face down and unable to see what is approaching. The word prostrate too has meanings to do with body position. It is used with the very specific meaning of "stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission," but is also used simply to mean "lying flat." In figurative use, prostrate means "completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise," as in "prostrate in fear." So while prone, supine, and prostrate have specific meanings with regard to body position, they also come with situational connotations in many cases: prone suggests exposure or vulnerability; supine connotes a position of weakness or passivity; and prostrate implies submission in the face of being overcome. Synonyms Adjective all in aweary [archaic] beat beaten bleary burned-out burnt-out bushed dead done drained exhausted fatigued jaded knackered [British] limp logy loggy played out pooped [slang] spent tapped out tired tuckered (out) washed-out wearied weary wiped out worn worn-out Verb debilitate devitalize enervate enfeeble etiolate sap soften tire waste weaken See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective The police found the body in a prostrate position. She was lying prostrate on the bed. They were prostrate from the heat. Verb an athlete prostrated for weeks by a bout of pneumonia the huge increase in gas prices really prostrated the nation's economic engine Recent Examples on the Web Adjective An excellent prostrate variety well suited to rockeries and pathways. Dennis Peck, oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Johnson then stood over the prostrate Davis and fired two more times into his head, prosecutors said. Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2022 As a prostrate Johnson held his head in both hands in disbelief, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich chose to hold his head high. Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2022 Environmentalists have long pushed for prostrate milkweed protection under the Endangered Species Act. Li Cohen, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2022 Most were silently prostrate on their backs, their paws limp in the air, passed out in the nearly 100-degree heat. New York Times, 19 Jan. 2022 Thomas Hayer, a twenty-two-year-old member of the Newark Mosque, fired insurance rounds at the prostrate Malcolm, hitting him in his left ankle. Les Payne, The New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2020 The question is never just a question; the subject is helpless to her storytelling, a rigorous empathy that was like refuge to the Duke and Duchess, who have long been prostrate to the narratives of the tabloids. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2021 The doctor leaves his dead son and prostrate wife to go with the excited young man. Kurt Vonnegut, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2020 Verb Cheney’s once promising career in the House of Representatives was over, at least for now, a casualty of her refusal to prostrate herself at the altar of Trump. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2022 His father merely wanted Mugur to prostrate himself with repentance and patriotic vows. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2021 Local officials across hard-knock America prostrate themselves for a chance to host it. Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2021 Such actions are unprecedented in Thailand, where those waiting for a royal motorcade regularly sit on the ground or prostrate themselves. Grant Peck And Chris Blake, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2020 Naird’s situation is of a man with ramrod-straight posture prostrated and disarrayed at many odd angles. Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, 28 May 2020 That same confidence is also what led Minlend to prostrate on the court, dejected, after USF’s season came to a close with a narrow loss to juggernaut Gonzaga on March 9. Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 15 Apr. 2020 During that service, in a sign of humble obedience, Francis prostrated himself for a few minutes on the basilica floor. NBC News, 11 Apr. 2020 But my resolution wasn’t a self-righteous, self-prostrating chore. Max De Haldevang, Quartz, 27 Dec. 2019 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English prostrat, from Anglo-French, from Latin prostratus, past participle of prosternere, from pro- before + sternere to spread out, throw down — more at strew First Known Use Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing prostrate prostrate oneself prostrate oneself Kids Definition prostrate 1 of 2 adjective pros·trate ˈprä-ˌstrāt 1 : lying with the face turned toward the ground 2 : lacking strength or energy I'm prostrate with a cold. prostrate 2 of 2 verb prostrated; prostrating 1 : lie on the ground with the face down Worshippers prostrated themselves on the ground. 2 : to bring to a weak and powerless condition The widow was prostrated with grief. Medical Definition prostrate 1 of 2 adjective pros·trate ˈpräs-ˌtrāt : completely overcome was prostrate from the heat prostrate 2 of 2 transitive verb prostrated; prostrating : to put into a state of extreme bodily exhaustion prostrated by fever prostrated 1 of 2 adjective as in weakened lacking bodily strength patients should expect to feel very prostrated after the surgery Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance weakened weak prostrate feeble paralyzed frail exhausted debilitated disabled enfeebled injured sapped incapacitated softened tired faint infirm enervated slight wasted languid vulnerable asthenic soft tender effete wimpy low unsubstantial drained challenged weary delicate wimpish fragile powerless damaged hurt down-and-out dizzy invalid unsteady impotent impaired susceptible decrepit harmed rocky resistless lame groggy yielding flimsy breakable flagging woozy broken-down unsound worn-out unresistant Antonyms & Near Antonyms mighty powerful strong stout muscular rugged virile stalwart hard athletic strengthened fit sinewy fortified hardy tough hardened sturdy brawny beefy strapping husky vigorous lusty inured robust vitalized toughened energized healthy capable able-bodied hale energetic sound competent recovering invigorated red-blooded convalescing recuperating See More prostrated 2 of 2 verb past tense of prostrate 1 as in exhausted to diminish the physical strength of an athlete prostrated for weeks by a bout of pneumonia Synonyms & Similar Words weakened exhausted softened injured debilitated tired enfeebled paralyzed enervated sapped wasted hurt damaged devitalized crippled etiolated incapacitated depressed depleted impaired hamstrung disabled harmed impoverished invalided laid up washed out wore down unmanned wore out ground (down) broke down Antonyms & Near Antonyms strengthened fortified recruited energized invigorated vitalized hardened rejuvenated beefed (up) seasoned toughened See More 2 as in paralyzed to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move the huge increase in gas prices really prostrated the nation's economic engine Synonyms & Similar Words paralyzed incapacitated crippled immobilized undermined weakened debilitated disabled hamstrung attenuated enfeebled mutilated maimed sapped lamed enervated hobbled undercut tired knocked out Antonyms & Near Antonyms vitalized invigorated energized galvanized strengthened fortified restored revived empowered regenerated freshened rejuvenated revitalized refreshened refreshed See More 3 as in overwhelmed to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress a widow prostrated by crushing grief Synonyms & Similar Words overwhelmed devastated overcame crushed oppressed swamped disturbed floored overpowered overmastered whelmed drowned rocked defeated deluged sunk sank shattered snowed under distressed ground (down) upset threw refuted confuted unnerved demoralized staggered broke unmanned 4 as in dropped to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall the boxer bragged that he could prostrate any opponent with a single blow Synonyms & Similar Words dropped felled floored toppled hit downed smacked slammed leveled slapped punched pounded levelled poked banged knocked over knocked down thumped whacked jabbed mowed (down) smote overthrew bowled (down or over) knocked out pasted socked bashed clobbered hammered kayoed walloped slugged swatted threw down thwacked bludgeoned belted swiped slogged whaled KO'd
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prostrate

adjective

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing prostrate

Kids Definition

adjective

verb

Medical Definition

adjective

transitive verb

adjective

verb