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

Junk removal caters to homeowners, businesses, and construction sites needing to dispose of bulky or unwanted items. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

McClanahan was charged with first- and second-degree murder and attempting to dispose of a body, officials said. —Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

To err on the safe side, consider disposing of the affected products. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Apr. 2025

Scrape away leaves, twigs, and grass within a 10-foot diameter circle from fire ]Have firefighting tools nearby and handy; Never leave a fire unattended; Carefully dispose of hot coal/ashes; Drown all fires; Carefully extinguish smoking materials. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for dispose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

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