possessed

adjective

pos·​sessed pə-ˈzest 

 also  -ˈsest

1

a(1)

: influenced or controlled by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)

(2)

: mad, crazed

b

: urgently desirous to do or have something

2

obsolete : held as a possession

3

: self-possessed, calm

possessedly

pə-ˈze-səd-lē 

-ˈzest-lē

 also  -ˈse-səd-

 or  -ˈsest-

adverb

possessedness

pə-ˈze-səd-nəs 

-ˈzest-nəs

 also  -ˈse-səd-

 or  -ˈsest-

noun

Synonyms

• composed
• collected
• calm
• serene
• peaceful

Examples of possessed in a Sentence

a horror movie about a possessed child

remarkably poised and possessed in the midst of all the turmoil

Recent Examples on the Web

As possessed people speak in foreign tongues and violence rises, Ahmed fears regaining memory, while the disciple fears his master’s decline may unleash an ancient evil. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025

The real-life doll itself is an old Raggedy Ann, which is said to be one of the most possessed items the Warrens owned. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

The best sequences allow for some building of suspense, like the fate of Gautama’s flunky while closing the family shop at night, or an episode when Tika is chased by her possessed mother in their house. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025

How to describe the romantic ski weekend montage involving a possessed snowman, in what seems to be an homage to the Wham! —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing possessed

• be possessed of
• like a man/woman possessed
• self-possessed
• whatever possessed him/her/you/them
• what possessed him/her/you/them

Rhymes for possessed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed