PRONE Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'prone' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prone are exposed , liable , open , sensitive , subject , and susceptible . While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something. // prone to delay

Q: When would 'exposed' be a good substitute for 'prone'?

The words exposed and prone are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening. // exposed to infection

Q: When is 'liable' a more appropriate choice than 'prone'?

In some situations, the words liable and prone are roughly equivalent. However, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation. // liable to get lost

Q: In what contexts can 'open' take the place of 'prone'?

The synonyms open and prone are sometimes interchangeable, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence. // a claim open to question

Q: When can 'sensitive' be used instead of 'prone'?

The meanings of sensitive and prone largely overlap; however, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli. // unduly sensitive to criticism

Q: When could 'subject' be used to replace 'prone'?

The words subject and prone can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone. // all reports are subject to review

Q: Where would 'susceptible' be a reasonable alternative to 'prone'?

While the synonyms susceptible and prone are close in meaning, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable. // very susceptible to flattery

prone

adjective

ˈprōn

Definition of prone

as in inclined

having a tendency to be or act in a certain way he was prone to emotional outbursts under stress

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in prostrate

lying with the face downwards quickly subdue the suspect and get him into a prone position

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prone contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prone are exposed, liable, open, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would exposed be a good substitute for prone?

The words exposed and prone are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When is liable a more appropriate choice than prone?

In some situations, the words liable and prone are roughly equivalent. However, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

In what contexts can open take the place of prone?

The synonyms open and prone are sometimes interchangeable, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When can sensitive be used instead of prone?

The meanings of sensitive and prone largely overlap; however, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When could subject be used to replace prone?

The words subject and prone can be used in similar contexts, but subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

Where would susceptible be a reasonable alternative to prone?

While the synonyms susceptible and prone are close in meaning, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

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 prone He’s steeped in these platforms, professionally invested, and not prone to conspiratorial concerns about insider trading or game fixing. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 Research shows that parentified children are more prone to forming unhealthy attachments. — Parents, 17 Oct. 2026 The AlertWildfire camera network gives firefighters panoramic views of fire-prone areas across the state. — Steve Large, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The White Sox have been prone to the strikeout all season long, having the fifth-highest strikeout rate in the league, but this was another level. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prone

Adjective

There’s a performance aspect to reality television, to people who are politically inclined.

— Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
If the brand fits that aesthetic, the audience is far more inclined to become the brand’s customers.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of inclined

Adjective

For fire safety, avoid woody spreading plants like prostrate acacia (Acacia redolens) and plumbago (Plumbago auriculata).

— The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Plants grow about two feet tall but have a prostrate habit that looks attractive at the edge of a wall or path.

— Jamie McIntosh, The Spruce, 3 Mar. 2026

Definition of prostrate

Adjective

While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Strip it out and the underlying growth picture is even flatter than the headline suggests.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of flat

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prone. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prone

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Challenging Words You Should Know

Prone vs. Supine vs. Prostrate

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of prone

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to prone

Challenging Words You Should Know

Prone vs. Supine vs. Prostrate

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes