dispose

1 of 2

verb

dis·​pose di-ˈspōz 

disposed; disposing

transitive verb

1

: to give a tendency to : incline

faulty diet disposes one to sickness

2

a

: to put in place : set in readiness : arrange

disposing troops for withdrawal

b

: bestow

c

obsolete : regulate

intransitive verb

1

: to settle a matter finally

2

obsolete : to come to terms

disposer noun

dispose

2 of 2

noun

1

obsolete : disposal

2

obsolete

a

: disposition

b

: demeanor

Phrases

dispose of

1

a(1)

: to get rid of

how to dispose of toxic waste

(2)

: to deal with conclusively

disposed of the matter efficiently

b

: to transfer to the control of another

disposing of personal property to a total stranger

2

: to place, distribute, or arrange especially in an orderly way

disposing of the weapons in the new fort

Synonyms

Verb

• depose
• deposit
• emplace
• fix
• lay
• place
• position
• put
• set
• set up
• situate
• stick

Choose the Right Synonym for dispose

incline, bias, dispose, predispose mean to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something.

incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

Examples of dispose in a Sentence

Verb

looking for the perfect spot to dispose the new knickknack

disposed the surgical instruments in the exact order in which they would be needed

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In one case, an employee took parts and disposed of the associated paperwork and shipping crates. —Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Court documents say that had the captains’ crab harvest been properly accounted for by the Department of Fish and Game before attempting to be sold, the infected crab would have been identified and disposed of before leaving Alaska. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 24 Apr. 2024

One group of participants disposed of their paper in either the trash can or the shredder, while the other group kept their paper in a file or a plastic box on their desk. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

For example, trigger spray bottles are difficult to recycle, Sell says, so refilling one (as opposed to purchasing—and eventually disposing of—a new one) can potentially go a long way to reduce waste. —Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024

Additionally, guests must always clean up after their pets by collecting and disposing of pet waste park services say. —Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024

Removing the battery and disposing of it responsibly. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Consumers with the affected product are urged not to consume it and to dispose of it immediately. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2024

The development of advanced water recycling plants wouldn’t necessarily eliminate the problem, because plants still would need to dispose of highly concentrated brine. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French desposer, from Latin disponere to arrange (perfect indicative disposui), from dis- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dispose

• dispose of

Kids Definition

dispose

verb

dis·​pose

dis-ˈpōz

disposed; disposing

1

: incline entry 1 sense 2

I was not disposed to go to the meeting

2

: to put in place or in readiness : arrange

you'll need more room to dispose your legs comfortably

disposer noun