POSSESS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

possess

verb

pə-ˈzes

Definition of possess

as in to have

to keep, control, or experience as one's own she possesses a keen insight into people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 possess In 1999, authorities jailed Gadd for possessing child pornography. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026 Congress codified the ban into law in 2020, and said the F-35s could be transferred if Turkey no longer possessed the S-400s. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 This horror reimagining stars Jack Reynor as journalist Charlie Cannon and Laia Costa as his wife, Larissa, whose family is terrorized after their long-missing daughter, Katie (played by Natalie Grace), returns home possessed by an ancient demon. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 In 1775, the first year of the American Revolutionary War, Britain possessed double the famous 13 colonies in North America alone, with many in Canada and the Greater Caribbean – including East and West Florida. — Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for possess

Recent Examples of Synonyms for possess

Verb

The landmark property celebrates the style of the sixties, when air travel still had a spark of glamor.

— Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The Chiefs have a world championship banner hanging atop the press box.

— Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026

Definition of have

Verb

The Heat began Tuesday by retaining three-point shooting forward Simone Fontecchio in free agency, and then continued to address its need for outside shooting when league-wide free agent negotiations were permitted to begin Tuesday night.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Buildings with no air conditioning will heat up and retain the heat.

— Bill Kelly, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of retain

Verb

Defense stocks have enjoyed a bumper year in 2026, as conflicts from Ukraine to Iran increase demand for munitions worldwide.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 6 July 2026
With estimated sales totaling €32 billion and a growth rate between 4-6% for 2025, jewelry seems to be enjoying its brightest summer yet.

— Milena Martins-Alexandre, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of enjoy

Browse Nearby Words

posses

possess

possessed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possess. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of possess

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on possess

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes