1
a
: controlled or overwhelmingly influenced by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
a horror movie about a possessed child
was always possessed by/with music
worked day and night like a man/woman possessed [=single-mindedly, obsessively]
b
: urgently wanting to do or have something
was possessed by/with winning
I'm obsessed. I'm possessed. I mean, once you are in cinema, you cannot stop.—Jonas Mekas, quoted at NPR
2
obsolete
: held as a possession
3
possessed
2 of 3past tense and past participle of possess
like a man/woman possessed
3 of 3phrase
: with a lot of energy or force : like a person who is completely controlled by some powerful emotion, spirit, etc.
He pounded on the door like a man possessed, yelling for someone to let him in.
Cite this Entry
“Possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possessed. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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