possesses

verb

present tense third-person singular of possess
as in owns
to keep, control, or experience as one's own she possesses a keen insight into people

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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 possesses Ahn said earlier in the day that North Korea possesses between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads. — Joyce Lee, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 This one may seem like every gummy in the bag was consumed, but Saquon Barkley possesses significant boom/bust appeal. — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 At 6-4, 200 pounds, the corner possesses speed, footwork and the smoothness to match up in any coverage. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Lagrange, who possesses triple-digit heat, has resumed throwing. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 Bibby possesses a strong, timely kick-step and can handle the pressures as a pass blocker despite being listed at 6 feet tall, which is considered small for the position. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 What follows is a beautifully bizarre story of agency and aliens, in which the fetus possesses Odie’s mind and helps her to get revenge on the man who raped her. — S.m. Hallow, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 The commentator suggested Big Lex possesses the potential for a serious boxing career. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Cabrera possesses the type of stuff that would likely play up out of the bullpen. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possesses
  1. owns
  2. has
  3. retains
  4. enjoys
Verb
  • Geoff Wilson, a 2001 UF graduate from Sarasota, owns the only one printed.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Fenway Sports Group, which also owns the Boston Red Sox, reportedly sold 40% of Premier League club Liverpool to a consortium that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of owns
Verb
  • Yash also has the Sony film, Ramayana, coming out globally November 6.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Garcia has also been nominated for an Oscar and Warren famously has been nominated for 17 competitive Academy Awards, but has yet to win one.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of has
Verb
  • With the upgrade, Apple retains the size of the M4 Mac mini but packs a new M6 processor to deliver four times better AI performance, two times faster storage and graphics, and 40% better CPU performance, the company says.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
  • But get past the hype, and what follows is a good example of how to conduct deeply personal journalistic work that retains both a level of compassion and criticism.
    — Becca James, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of retains
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
  • The Palazzo Dandolo Paolucci, to give the property its full and proper title, enjoys a nuanced genealogy.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoys

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Cite this Entry

“Possesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possesses. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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