dispose

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

1

obsolete : disposal

2

obsolete

a

: disposition

b

: demeanor

disposer

3 of 3

noun (2)

dis·​pos·​er

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that disposes: such as

a

archaic : manager, director

b

archaic : dispenser

c

: an electrical device that forms part of a sink drain and disposes of garbage by grinding it up to be flushed through the house drainpipes

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

Normally, this hot water is simply disposed off into a larger body of water and recycled, which is a waste of energy. — Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

For their part, the Iranians will reopen the Strait of Hormuz, provide for an unspecified mechanism for disposing of its enriched uranium and pledge to not pursue a nuclear weapon in the future. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 June 2026

Never dispose of live charcoal on the ground. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026

People in this area are urged to properly dispose of cigarettes, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

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 (1)

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dispose

• dispose of

Rhymes for dispose

• aloes
• arose
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compos
• 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