How to Use possess in a Sentence

possess

verb
  • The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen.
  • He possesses a keen wit.
  • He dreams of someday possessing great wealth.
  • The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors.
  • Do dolphins possess the ability to use language?
  • The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine.
  • It’s possessed by a sexy ghost.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Subject left on foot and does not possess a phone.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Both teams will get a chance to possess the ball, even if the first team scores.
    — Chris Morris, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • So, yes, the Heat did possess enough to get a deal done.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026
  • That speaks to this desire to possess.
    — Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
  • She’d been possessed by an evil spirit.
    — Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • Just like in boxing, there’s an edge for those who possess length.
    — Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Adults could legally possess it.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Here are traits that men do not like and possess unabashedly.
    — Kellee Terrell, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2021
  • All around, the trees were on fire, and the houses across the street flared as if possessed.
    — Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • One team possesses the ball, and the other tries to take it.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Ammons claimed that she and her three children had been possessed by demons.
    — Marisa Kwiatkowski, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Sep. 2024
  • Minkisi were believed to be alive, possessed by the spirits of the dead.
    — Essence, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Does any item in a men’s wardrobe possess more character than the trench coat?
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
  • He's not possessed, but controlled.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Carpet pythons are not venomous but do possess a nasty bite thanks to dozens of teeth.
    — Warren Kulo | [email protected], al, 30 Aug. 2023
  • No one has been charged with possessing the products.
    — Christina Hall, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Less than half of students possess the reading and math skills to progress to the next grade.
    — New York Times, 27 Jan. 2022
  • Do not possess any firearms or dangerous weapons.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Instead of black, opt for a cool steely blue that possesses depth but evokes a sense of calm.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
  • He has now been indicted on a charge of possessing a gun as a felon.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Right now, this market seems possessed by pessimism.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
  • So, is the desire to possess or vend luxury items out of step?
    — Michael Polk, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2021
  • The Twins possess one open spot on the 40-man roster.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'possess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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