dispose

verb dis·pose \ di-ˈspōz \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

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Examples: dispose in a Sentence

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 obsolete : regulate

c : bestow

intransitive verb

1 : to settle a matter finally

2 obsolete : to come to terms

—

disposer

noun

— dispose of

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

disposing of the weapons in the new fort

2 a : 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

See dispose defined for English-language learners

See dispose defined for kids

Examples of dispose in a Sentence

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 of dispose from the Web

World Cup visitors in Moscow risk exacerbating the Russian capital’s chronic problem disposing with garbage at overflowing landfills.

— Washington Post, "World Cup has divisive legacy for Russia’s environment," 12 June 2018
Adams urged parents to discuss the ads with their teens and 20-somethings and to dispose of unwanted pills by checking opioids.gov for safe disposal locations.

— jayne o'donnell, USA TODAY, "White House launches opioid education campaign that targets young people using shock value," 7 June 2018
Instead flush live ticks down the toilet or drown them in rubbing alcohol and then dispose of them in the garbage in a sealed and taped shut sandwich bag.

— kelli bender, PEOPLE.com, "How to Protect Your Pet From 2018's Dangerous Tick Season," 7 June 2018
Money will be used to purchase more recycling bins that allow people to dispose of certain items separate from their regular trash.

— gregory tejeda, Post-Tribune, "Gary approves budget transfers for recycling, computer software," 6 June 2018
Use a mulching mower and do not collect the grass clippings to save time on bagging and disposing clippings.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Mow short, mulch, fertilize: Strategies for a good-looking lawn," 5 June 2018
Avoid cutting the plant into smaller pieces which can spread urushiol oil, and never dispose of poison ivy by burning it.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy," 4 June 2018
To help people dispose of syringes more safely, the library has installed sharps containers in most bathrooms.

— abby lynes, OregonLive.com, "Librarians emerge as unlikely players in battle against opioid epidemic," 1 June 2018
To dispose of his relative, Pepys arranges for Balty to take the job of hunting them down.

— john vernon, New York Times, "Finding the Funny in 17th-Century History," 1 June 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.

Origin and Etymology of dispose

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

dispose Synonyms

Synonyms

arrange, array, classify, codify, draw up, lay out, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, range, systematize;

Antonyms

derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset;

unscramble;

align (also aline), cue, line, line up, queue;

alphabetize, file, prioritize, sequence;

emplace, place, set;

display, map (out), set out;

Synonym Discussion of 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.