prostrate

adjective pros·trate \ ˈprä-ˌstrāt \

Updated on: 28 Nov 2017

Definition of prostrate

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

See prostrate defined for English-language learners

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Examples of prostrate in a Sentence

The police found the body in a prostrate position.
She was lying prostrate on the bed.
They were prostrate from the heat.

Recent Examples of prostrate from the Web

According to Doran, who represents Guillory’s family, both Brown and Guillory complied, but when Guillory was prostrate on the ground, LaFluer reportedly fired his weapon multiple times at Guillory, shooting Guillory three or four times.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Dejuan Guillory Was Unarmed, Lying on The Ground When a Cop Shot Him in The Back, But No One Is Talking About It," 8 July 2017
The two other sub-plants have not yet gone into the swoon of death (stems doubled over under the weight of heavy leaves lying prostrate on the ground) and will likely be just fine.

— bonnie blodgett, Twin Cities, "Blundering Gardener: Looking for free plants? Divide the ones you have," 3 June 2017
He's had one recurrence of the cancer since his initial treatment, and also faced prostrate cancer.

— john fritze, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland's Eastern Shore, a GOP stronghold, home to thousands who now have insurance thanks to Obamacare," 27 Aug. 2017
The corpse of Hamlet’s father (Coster, nimbly swapping parts before our eyes) lies prostrate on a table strewn with ghastly funeral flowers, a tourniquet dangling from his arm.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "Who is Hamlet? Three actors make their case," 19 Aug. 2017
The understory is planted in white roses, prostrate rosemary, succulent blue chalksticks (Senecio mandraliscae), day lilies and many other beautiful, not too thirsty, plants.

— nan sterman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Stunning streetscapes are inspiration for gardeners," 3 Aug. 2017
Some lay prostrate, guiding themselves over foam rollers, while others had their legs wrapped in compression bands or bulky massage boots.

— lindsay crouse, New York Times, "It’s Marathon Season, and Physical Therapists Are Busy," 11 Oct. 2017
Take that iconic photograph of Muhammad Ali standing triumphantly over the prostrate, semiconscious wreckage of Sonny Liston.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Agony of defeat stronger than the thrill of victory," 28 June 2017
Scores of fellow believers were prostrate in the middle of the avenue, praying before the start of the city’s Muslim Day parade.

— sarah maslin nir, New York Times, "A Rabbi, an Imam and a Message of Inclusion at a Muslim Parade," 24 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prostrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prostrate

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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prostrate Synonyms

Synonyms

all in, aweary [archaic], beat, beaten, bleary, burned-out (or burnt-out), bushed, dead, done, done in, drained, exhausted, fatigued, jaded, knackered [British], limp, logy (also loggy), played out, pooped [slang], weary, spent, tapped out, tired, tuckered (out), washed-out, wearied, wiped out, worn, worn-out

Antonyms

unwearied

Related Words

overfatigued, overtaxed, overworked; broken-down, run-down; debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, sapped, weakened; drowsy, heavy, sleepy; lethargic, sluggish

Near Antonyms

fresh, refreshed, rejuvenated, relaxed, rested, revitalized; active, energetic, invigorated, peppy, strengthened, strong, tireless, vitalized, weariless

Synonym Discussion of prostrate

prone, supine, prostrate, recumbent mean lying down. prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface.

- push-ups require a prone position

supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness.

- lying supine on the couch

prostrate implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse.

- a runner fell prostrate at the finish line

recumbent implies the posture of one sleeping or resting.

- a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed

prostrate

verb pros·trate \ ˈprä-ˌstrāt , especially British prä-ˈstrāt \

Definition of prostrate

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

See prostrate defined for English-language learners

Examples of prostrate in a Sentence

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 of prostrate from the Web

Her mother stopped to help and a white crowd attacked, leaving the mother prostrate with a gaping hole in her head.

— allison keyes, Smithsonian, "The East St. Louis Race Riot Left Dozens Dead, Devastating a Community on the Rise," 30 June 2017
Hours earlier at the Vatican, Francis prostrated himself in prayer during a Good Friday service in St. Peter’s Basilica.

— frances d'emilio, The Denver Post, "Pope speaks of humanity’s “shame” in Good Friday procession," 14 Apr. 2017
Customers had to trudge to a mattress store and awkwardly prostrate themselves on numerous surfaces before choosing one to use for a decade.

— farhad manjoo, New York Times, "Dollar Shave Club," 27 July 2016
Perry, having prostrated himself before the Senate, was confirmed in March.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Oops: Rick Perry Tricked Into Discussing Energy Policy with Russian Pranksters," 26 July 2017
In order to stay in power Lenin had prostrated Russia before Germany with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, by which Russia renounced claims on vast amounts of territory including the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine.

— olga ingurazova, Smithsonian, "What Ever Happened to the Russian Revolution?," 29 Sep. 2017
The Establishment, on the other hand, is terrified of any schism, and willing to prostrate itself in the service of unity.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump, Roy Moore, and the Craven Surrender of the GOP Establishment," 28 Sep. 2017
In the Visa Temple, where devotees leave their shoes, phones, and purses at the door before prostrating to Balaji, the string of attacks seem to strengthen people’s appeals to God.

— suman naishadham, Slate Magazine, "The Visa Temple," 3 Apr. 2017
The public became accustomed to images of generals and politicians prostrating themselves in front of their constitutional monarch.

— hannah beech, New York Times, "Thailand Prepares for a King’s $90 Million Cremation Ceremony," 25 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of prostrate

15th century

prostrate Synonyms

Synonyms

debilitate, devitalize, enervate, enfeeble, etiolate, weaken, sap, soften, tire, waste

Antonyms

beef (up), fortify, strengthen

Related Words

cripple, disable, hamstring, incapacitate; deplete, depress, exhaust, impoverish, unman, wash out; damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, invalid, lay up; break down, grind (down), wear down, wear out; paralyze

Near Antonyms

energize, invigorate, recruit, rejuvenate, vitalize; harden, season, toughen

PROSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

prostrate

adjective

Definition of prostrate for English Language Learners

: lying with the front of your body turned toward the ground
: so tired, upset, etc., that you are unable to do anything

prostrate

verb

Definition of prostrate for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) weak or powerless

PROSTRATE Defined for Kids

prostrate

adjective pros·trate \ ˈprä-ˌstrāt \

Definition of prostrate for Students

1 : lying with the face turned toward the ground

2 : lacking strength or energy

I'm prostrate with a cold.

prostrate

verb

Definition of prostrate for Students

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 Dictionary

prostrate

adjective pros·trate \ ˈpräs-ˌtrāt \

medical Definition of prostrate

: completely overcome

was prostrate from the heat

prostrate

transitive verb

medical Definition of prostrate

prostrated; prostrating

: to put into a state of extreme bodily exhaustion

prostrated by fever

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Origin and Etymology of prostrate

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prostrate

Definition of prostrate

Examples of prostrate in a Sentence

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First Known Use of prostrate

prostrate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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PROSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

prostrate

Definition of prostrate for English Language Learners

prostrate

Definition of prostrate for English Language Learners

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prostrate

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prostrate

Definition of prostrate for Students

Medical Dictionary

prostrate

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prostrate

medical Definition of prostrate

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