prostrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prostrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone lying flat on the ground, often in a position of submission or exhaustion. Example: "After the long hike, I found myself prostrate on the grass, unable to move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stevens, though, was already committed to either tackle or block, ploughing through the prostrate Beglin and snapping his leg.

The Guardian - Sport

With the full-back unable to rob him, various other defenders arrived, all of them made to look silly as he weaved and twisted past before, as they lay prostrate, crossing for John Tudor to seal the victory.

The Guardian - Sport

For about a year I was dancing attendance on ­Lucinda or prostrate with grief.

The Guardian - Books

Which is what I was: prostrate".

The Guardian - Books

Okinawans turned to a now prostrate China for help.

The Economist

But the Japanese do not mention that in 1895 Qing China lay prostrate, defeated the previous year by an aggressive, expansionist and rapidly Westernising Japan.

The Economist

He certainly seems candid too: his most disarming moments with this crowd were probably those lapses (or not?) in which he made his passions plain.He has a theory, for instance, that the most staged of the photographs the ones in which grinning soldiers pose before naked and prostrate Iraqis sought to create "a picture of American foreign policy…in the broadest sense".

The Economist

Another then unleashes an Alsatian on his prostrate body.In this section A run for his money Medicare, the opera Breaking, and bad Into the light Out of sight Ten billion wasted Fifty years on The Democrats' daughters ReprintsDefenders of the police point out that the video shows only the last few minutes of a three-and-a-half-hour standoff.

The Economist

The same would be the case if Turkey were to accept the confidence-building measures proposed by Cyprus, including the return of the ghost town of Famagusta.Regrettably, we get zero reciprocity whatever we do unless we lie prostrate, as people did in the bygone days of Ottoman rule.

The Economist

It is unclear whether the expected result, which is to be Thailand's 18th constitution, will be put to a referendum.To make it all fly, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand's military dictator and prime-minister-in-waiting, had to prostrate himself in front of the 86-year-old king, Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The Economist

THE euro-zone economy remains prostrate after suffering six consecutive quarters of declining output.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prostrate" when you want to convey both the physical act of lying down and a sense of submission, vulnerability, or overwhelming emotion.

Common error

Avoid misspelling "prostrate" as "prostate". "Prostate" refers to a gland in the male reproductive system, while "prostrate" describes lying face down or being overcome.

Linguistic Context

The word "prostrate" functions primarily as an adjective and sometimes as a verb. As an adjective, it describes a state of lying face down, often indicating submission, reverence, or extreme weakness. It can also describe being overcome with emotion, as Ludwig examples suggest. As a verb, it means to lay oneself flat on the ground.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "prostrate" is a versatile term that can function as both an adjective and a verb. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. As an adjective, it commonly describes the act of lying face down, often connoting submission or defeat, but can also describe a state of being overcome with emotion. Examples from sources like The Economist and The Guardian illustrate its use in describing both physical positions and emotional states. While versatile, it's essential to distinguish "prostrate" from "prostate" to avoid miscommunication. With careful attention to context, you can effectively use the word "prostrate" to convey nuanced meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lying flat

Focuses on the physical position, removing connotations of submission or weakness.

face down

Specifically indicates the orientation of the body, without implying cause or emotion.

prone position

A more technical or medical term for lying face down.

overcome

Highlights being overpowered emotionally or physically, distancing from the position.

submissive

Emphasizes the act of yielding or surrendering, altering focus from physical orientation.

bowed down

Implies respect or reverence, a voluntary act of lowering oneself.

flattened

Indicates something has been pressed down or made level, losing the human element.

defeated

Highlights the state of being beaten or conquered, shifting from physical stance.

incapacitated

Focuses on the inability to function normally, especially due to illness or injury.

devastated

Captures the emotional impact of grief or loss, straying from physical descriptions.

FAQs

How is "prostrate" used in a sentence?

"Prostrate" can describe someone lying face down, like "They lay "lying prostrate" on the grass", or someone overcome with emotion, such as "He was "prostrate with grief" after the loss".

What are some synonyms for "prostrate"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "lying flat", "prone", "submissive", or "overcome".

Is it correct to say someone is "prostrate" with grief?

Yes, it is correct. "Prostrate" can describe being emotionally or physically overwhelmed to the point of being incapacitated or appearing defeated, such as being ""prostrate with grief"".

What's the difference between "prostrate" and "prone"?

Both terms describe lying face down. "Prostrate" often implies submission, reverence, or extreme weakness, while "prone" is a more neutral description of position.