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 Pedersen, who possesses one of the largest engines in the peloton, is rarely dispatched that easily. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Bell, who possesses a rare combination of size, hands and physicality, could be the best wide receiver on the roster in a short amount of time. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 The malware possessed nine commands, including downloading and executing computer code and opening web links. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 Daniel Gerardo Torres, 55, received a 21-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possess

Recent Examples of Synonyms for possess

Verb

Mayer didn’t have that opportunity in the majors, spending chunks of time at second (53 games), third (39) and shortstop (26).

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
The neighborhood The island of Sveti Klement has no roads or cars, just a couple of tractors and a golf buggy to add to the pleasant feeling of being in your hideaway.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of have

Verb

Jones applied through the nonprofit New York Foundation for Senior Citizens (NYFSC) and was matched with an elderly woman who owns a home in Jamaica, Queens.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Geoff Wilson, a 2001 UF graduate from Sarasota, owns the only one printed.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of own

Verb

Opponents argue that the nation that won its independence from Denmark in 1944 enjoys all the benefits of European integration with no drawbacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
North and South America will enjoy the best views, with observers able to follow the entire eclipse from beginning to end overnight.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of possess

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes