supine
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for supine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Lying flat on the back with the face turned upward.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Lying flat on the back with the face turned upward.
“The patient was supine on the table with both arms at his sides.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Failing to act or resist when action is called for; passively accepting whatever happens.
“Critics accused the committee of being supine in the face of obvious corruption.”
Opposites
How to use supine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The physical sense is clinical and neutral; the figurative sense is formal and disparaging.
Etymology
From Latin supinus, 'lying on the back, bent backwards', related to sub 'under'.
Full origin of supine →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between supine and prone?
Supine means face up, lying on your back; prone means face down, lying on your front. A quick memory aid is that you hold soup in a bowl on your front, so supine is the position where you could balance it.
Can supine describe a person's character?
Yes. Calling someone supine says they are feebly passive and put up no resistance. It is a strong criticism and is normally reserved for writing about politics, institutions or the press.