prostrate — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Lying flat, face-down.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   prone

   Antonyms

   supine

   Examples

   Prostrate fall / Before him reverent, and there confess / Humbly our faults.

   Finally almost the whole world was combined against the evil-doers, who are now prostrate before us.

2. Emotionally devastated.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • not-comparable

3. Physically incapacitated from environmental exposure or debilitating disease.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   He was prostrate from the extreme heat.

4. Trailing on the ground; procumbent.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

5. Prostrated.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

Verb

1. To lie flat or face-down.

   Usage

   • often
   • Reflexive

2. To throw oneself down in submission.

   Usage

   • also
   • Figurative

   Synonyms

   grovel

   Examples

   Those who had the privilege of approaching him, had to prostrate themselves before him in profound humility[…]

   More examples (1)

   But I take the view that the statue is a cheap and cynical stunt by ministers with scant knowledge of history, whose only interest lies in greasing up to modern Indian politicians. With little or no dignity, they shamelessly prostrate themselves in the most craven way.

3. To cause to lie down, to flatten.

   Examples

   How many of these mighty pines were to be prostrated under that approaching tempest!

4. To overcome or overpower.

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   Why this very minute she's prostrated with grief.

Adjective

1. stretched out and lying at full length along the ground

   Synonyms

   flat

   Examples

   found himself lying flat on the floor

2. lying face downward

   Synonyms

   prone

Verb

1. get into a prostrate position, as in submission

   Synonyms

   bow down

   Broader terms

   lie downlie

2. render helpless or defenseless

   Broader terms

   changealtermodify

   Examples

   They prostrated the enemy

3. throw down flat, as on the ground

   Broader terms

   throwloft

   Examples

   She prostrated herself with frustration