dispose

verb

dis·pose | \di-ˈspōz

disposed; disposing

Definition of dispose

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to give a tendency to : incline faulty diet disposes one to sickness

2a : to put in place : set in readiness : arrange disposing troops for withdrawal

b obsolete : regulate

c : bestow

intransitive verb

1 : to settle a matter finally

2 obsolete : to come to terms

dispose of

1 : to place, distribute, or arrange especially in an orderly way disposing of the weapons in the new fort

2a : to transfer to the control of another disposing of personal property to a total stranger

b(1) : to get rid of how to dispose of toxic waste

(2) : to deal with conclusively disposed of the matter efficiently

dispose

noun

Definition of dispose (Entry 2 of 2)

1 obsolete : disposal

2 obsolete

a : disposition

b : demeanor

Other Words from dispose Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about dispose

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Choose the Right Synonym for dispose

Verb

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

Based on a survey of people who inject drugs, the researchers also concluded that those in Miami had more than 34 times the adjusted odds to improperly dispose of syringes in public than those in San Francisco. — German Lopez, Vox, "Needle exchanges help combat the opioid crisis. But officials keep shutting them down.," 29 Nov. 2018 The process marks a new chapter for hundreds of thousands of crisis-era borrowers who often had heard nothing about their unpaid loans for years and thought the debt had been disposed of. — Cezary Podkul, WSJ, "‘I Can Be the Bank’: Individual Investors Buy Busted Mortgages," 20 Nov. 2018 Niemeyer said the bill will allow counties to work with adjacent property owners to dispose of small slivers of property. — Craig Lyons, Post-Tribune, "Commissioners could soon clear small parcels from their rolls," 24 Feb. 2018 The men here — including a post-The OC Adam Brody and a pre-Parks and Recreation Chris Pratt — are mostly just bodies to be disposed of and are either entirely unthreatening or simultaneously threatening and pathetic. — Constance Grady, Vox, "How Jennifer’s Body went from a flop in 2009 to a feminist cult classic today," 31 Oct. 2018 Occasionally the workers find suicide belts or grenades buried with the bodies and bring in local forces to help dispose of them. — Raja Abdulrahim, WSJ, "To Rebuild a Syrian City, Men First Dig Up and Rebury the Dead," 26 Oct. 2018 It was long assumed destroyed, since most of the movie’s unused takes were disposed of by people associated with the production. — Marie Claire, "A Long-Lost Marilyn Monroe Naked Scene Was Found," 13 Aug. 2018 Bessell also alleges that Thorpe suggests several means of disposing Scott’s body. — Julie Miller, HWD, "The Secret, Real-Life Love Affair Behind A Very English Scandal," 1 July 2018 There's evidence that the defendants discussed where to dispose the victim's body and how deep to dig the hole before law enforcement thwarted them, Nassau County prosecutors said. — Fox News, "Alleged MS-13 kingpin of East Coast operations 'Reaper' facing murder, drug charges," 19 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That has been central to a decadeslong battle over the EPA’s role in regulating how much carbon industrial businesses dispose of into the atmosphere. — Timothy Puko, WSJ, "EPA Is Set to Roll Back Restrictions on Coal-Burning Power Plants," 18 Aug. 2018 Investigators believe Boswell, who lived with Trail, helped him dismember Loofe and dispose of her remains. — Nicole Darrah, Fox News, "Nebraska couple charged with brutally murdering, dismembering Tinder date," 12 June 2018 When finished, allow used fireworks to stand for at least 20 minutes, submerge in water, drain, place in a plastic bag & dispose of outside in a covered trash can. — Sarah Brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Fourth of July: Best tips to stay safe when using fireworks," 4 July 2018 To prevent intentional or unintentional overexposure to these medications, Alexander also suggests that parents store them in a safe place and dispose of any unused medications. — Mark Lieber, CNN, "Unnecessary and accidental use of ADHD drugs increases over 60%, study suggests," 21 May 2018 The take-make-dispose model has not only environmental but also economic and social costs, new research shows. — Lorraine Mirabella, baltimoresun.com, "Fast fashion fuels sustainable-apparel movement," 11 July 2018 Gambino dances away, appearing unconcerned, as children dispose of the evidence. — Solomon Jones, Philly.com, "'This is America' makes us uncomfortable, in a good way | Solomon Jones," 8 May 2018 Reynolds and his sister Cyril (a superb Lesley Manville), who runs the business side of the House of Woodcock, dispose of a pretty woman early on for the crime of wanting his attention (and disrupting breakfast by offering him an unwanted pastry). — Lindsey Bahr, kansascity, "Day-Lewis fashions a compelling portrait of a genius in ‘Phantom Thread’," 18 Jan. 2018 When finished, dispose of fireworks by wetting them down and placing in a metal trash can away from buildings until the following day. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, "How to Stay Safe While Setting Off Fireworks This July 4th," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dispose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for dispose

Verb

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

Noun

see dispose entry 1

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