prostration

noun

prä-ˈstrā-shən How to pronounce prostration (audio)
Definition of prostrationnext
as in exhaustion
a complete depletion of energy or strength an outpatient suffering from fever, prostration, and nausea was rushed to the hospital by ambulance

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prostration When the net finally rippled, Yamal dropped to the ground in sujood — an Islamic prostration of gratitude — in a moment that immediately went viral. — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Travelers can also stay overnight to meditate, share meals, learn more about the temple’s Seon sect, and participate in the 108 prostrations. — Peggy Orenstein, AFAR Media, 6 Jan. 2025 Indeed, the Sabbath was usually one of Hatzolah’s busiest times, possibly due to the overeating that was among the highlights of the day—heart attacks, strokes, ulcer flare-ups, complete prostration due to the cholent and the kugel. — Tova Reich, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024 The attendees offered heartfelt reverence to the Buddhas, engaged in prostrations, and prayed to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for blessings upon all sentient beings. — Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023 One death and two cases of heat prostration were called possibly due to the temperature, which was said then to be the highest in the country. — Martin Weil, Washington Post, 3 June 2023 This is akin to members of Congress sporting fake kente-cloth shawls and taking a knee in a foul moment of fake reverence for ex-con George Floyd, in an act of politically correct prostration. — Armond White, National Review, 19 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prostration
  1. exhaustion
  2. fatigue
Noun
  • In fact, the solar eclipse in Leo could shed light on everything from exhaustion and unconscious patterns to hidden resentments.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe, a Turing prize winner, reflected on building early networks and the challenge of digital exhaustion.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • But markets are showing signs of fatigue, after absorbing this flood of debt in such a short time, S&P warned, pointing out that hyperscalers are now paying a higher premium compared with yields on risk-free bonds.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • The economic difficulties, energy blackouts, Internet restrictions, and general wartime fatigue have pushed Putin’s approval ratings from around 80 percent at the beginning of the year to 66 percent in mid-July.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
Definition of fatigue

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prostrating
prostration
prosy
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Cite this Entry

“Prostration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prostration. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prostration

Nglish: Translation of prostration for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prostration

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