prostrate
Americanverb (used with object)
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prostrates,
present (3rd person singular)
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prostrated,
past participle, past
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prostrating
present participle
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to cast (oneself ) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration.
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to lay flat, as on the ground.
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to throw down level with the ground.
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to overthrow, overcome, or reduce to helplessness.
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to reduce to physical weakness or exhaustion.
adjective
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lying flat or at full length, as on the ground.
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lying face down on the ground, as in token of humility, submission, or adoration.
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overthrown, overcome, or helpless.
a country left prostrate by natural disasters.
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physically weak or exhausted.
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utterly dejected or depressed; disconsolate.
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Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying flat on the ground.
adjective
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lying with the face downwards, as in submission
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exhausted physically or emotionally
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helpless or defenceless
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(of a plant) growing closely along the ground
verb
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to bow or cast (oneself) down, as in submission
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to lay or throw down flat, as on the ground
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to make helpless or defenceless
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to make exhausted
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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prostratesimple
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prostratessimple
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have prostratedperfect
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has prostratedperfect
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am prostratingprogressive
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are prostratingprogressive
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is prostratingprogressive
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have been prostratingperfect progressive
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has been prostratingperfect progressive
Past
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prostratedsimple
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had prostratedperfect
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was prostratingprogressive
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were prostratingprogressive
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had been prostratingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of prostrate
First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the adjective) Middle English prostrat, from Latin prōstrātus “lying flat,” past participle of prōsternere “to lie flat, knock down, overthrow,” from prō- pro- 1 + sternere “to lay out, stretch, spread”; verb derivative of the adjective
Explanation
The verb prostrate means to lie face-downward in submission or despair. More generally, it means to make helpless or defenseless. Illness, injury, grief, despair — any of these things can prostrate someone. The word prostrate traces back to the Latin word prostratus, meaning “thrown down.” If you are prostrate, you feel thrown down and laid flat. It can describe lying on the ground in a helpless position, or it can be used to describe someone who has been overcome or made unable to function, such as someone who is prostrated by grief or illness.
Vocabulary lists containing prostrate
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But as Argentine players lay prostrate on the pitch and Argentine fans lost their minds, they didn’t care that it wasn’t pretty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
Williams’ shift from prostrate grief to helpless amusement hints at hidden dimensions of a character who will always be a couple of steps ahead of the men trying to control her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025
Videos shared on social media on Tuesday showed groups of Jewish Israelis singing the Israeli national anthem, some carrying the Israeli flag while others prostrate themselves in prayer at the edge of the holy site.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2024
Department of Health and Human Services now requires consent for breast, pelvic, prostrate and rectal exams for “educational and training purposes” performed by medical students, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2024
Columbus then counted ten over the prostrate Nelson, and again the ten other penguins applauded.
From "Mr. Popper's Penguins" by Florence Atwater and Richard Atwater
In her 1910 autobiography, she wrote of the Santa Ana wind that “its breath dries up the plants, gives headaches to people, and prostrates them … it uproots trees, tears off roofs, and devastates fields.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2021
Marianne & Leonard prostrates itself at the feet of Ihlen’s beauty and celebrates her nurturing spirit but doesn’t seem interested in her inner life, or indeed her suffering.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 23, 2019
Fazal’s Karim smiles a lot, seems absolutely enchanted by English weather and, at their second meeting, without provocation, prostrates himself to kiss Victoria’s feet.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 25, 2017
The other prostrates himself, back bent, head lowered, with his right arm outstretched over clusters of bananas and other produce offered as homage to the allegorical queen.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 24, 2016
Dicky gives in to it; and—metaphorically speaking—instantly prostrates himself at Miss Vibart's feet.
From Portia or By Passions Rocked by Duchess
There, the four candidates for bishop prostrated themselves before an altar, their heads buried in red velvet pillows.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
At another point of the ceremony, the nine lay prostrated on a carpet in front of the basilica’s central altar in a sign of obedience, humility and giving of oneself.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 25, 2021
“The French justice system has prostrated itself before a writer,” said Mehana Mouhou, a lawyer involved in the suit against the author.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2020
Earlier on Friday in St Peter’s Basilica, Francis presided at a “Passion of the Lord” service, during which he prostrated himself in prayer on the marble pavement.
From Reuters ● Mar. 30, 2018
As I prostrated, the Mutawaf fended pilgrims off to keep me from being trampled.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
We’re too busy bowing to false equivalency and prostrating ourselves on the altar of access.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2024
A few months before Khan was elected prime minister, local media carried photos of the couple prostrating at the Baba Farid shrine.
From Reuters ● May 16, 2023
But it was his act of prostrating in prayer after goals that reverberated in the wider global consciousness, even among those who don't follow football.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2022
Can you capture his magic without prostrating yourself before the sorcerer?
From New York Times ● Nov. 3, 2021
"Forgiveness, Your Exalted Majesty," the magistrate said, prostrating himself.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
