Prostrating: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in religious or extreme respect settings when someone is lying flat on the ground face down as a sign of reverence, submission or worship.

• The monks were prostrating themselves in front of the altar.
• In many cultures, prostrating before elders is a sign of deep respect.

This term can be used in both formal and informal situations where someone bends their upper body forward to show respect or submission. It can also have a negative connotation if someone is metaphorically 'bowing down' to an unjust authority.

• At the end of the concert, the performer bowed down to the audience.
• You shouldn't let anyone force you to bow down to their demands.

This term is used when someone is resting on their knees, typically in a context of devotion, prayer, or proposing. It can also be a sign of showing humility.

• The knight kneeled before the king to receive his orders.
• Before the proposal, he got down on one knee.

This term is usually used in a religious context where someone shows reverence and adoration for a deity. It can also refer to the adoration of someone or something in a more general sense.

• The villagers gathered at the temple to worship their gods.
• He worships his mentor and follows his every piece of advice.

This word is often used to describe a physical act of lying flat on the ground in adoration or submission, usually in a religious or ceremonial context.

• The monks were prostrating themselves before the altar.
• During the ceremony, the participants began prostrating as a sign of deep respect.

This word is typically used in the context of giving up or yielding to an opponent, often in battles or conflicts. It can carry a negative connotation, indicating loss or defeat.

• The soldiers had no choice but to surrender.
• After a lengthy negotiation, they decided to surrender their demands.

Commonly used to describe giving way to force, pressure, or someone else's desires. It may or may not have a negative connotation, depending on the context.

• You must yield to oncoming traffic at the intersection.
• After much debate, she yielded to the majority decision.

Used when you agree to follow someone's authority or obey rules. It can be used in formal and informal settings and doesn't necessarily imply weakness.

• Students must submit their assignments by Friday.
• She decided to submit to the company's policies.