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

see also dispose of

dispose

2 of 2

noun

1

obsolete : disposal

2

obsolete

a

: disposition

b

: demeanor

Synonyms of dispose

Verb

• situate
• put
• place
• locate
• position
• deposit

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

The train set and bike were both transferred to the archives while the dates were disposed of by the Secret Service, the report says. —Matthew Lee The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026

According to Volkert, state officials organized an informational campaign late last year after fire departments across the state saw a number of fires break out involving fireplace ashes that were disposed of unsafely. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026

Customers may dispose of their product or return it to their place of purchase for a possible refund. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026

Chapter 13, which is reserved exclusively for individuals and not companies, would allow Hill to keep his personal property while disposing of his debts over three to five years. —Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026

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