1
a
: controlled or overwhelmingly influenced by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
a horror movie about a possessed child
was always possessed by/with music
worked day and night like a man/woman possessed [=single-mindedly, obsessively]
b
: urgently wanting to do or have something
was possessed by/with winning
I'm obsessed. I'm possessed. I mean, once you are in cinema, you cannot stop.—
Jonas Mekas, quoted at NPR
Jonas Mekas, quoted at NPR2
obsolete
: held as a possession
3
possessed
2 of 3past tense and past participle of possess
like a man/woman possessed
3 of 3phrase
: with a lot of energy or force : like a person who is completely controlled by some powerful emotion, spirit, etc.
He pounded on the door like a man possessed, yelling for someone to let him in.
Examples of possessed in a Sentence
Adjective
a horror movie about a possessed child
remarkably poised and possessed in the midst of all the turmoil
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026
Once Nikki returns to herself, she’s still left with extreme trauma and consequences, given that the possessed version of her murdered two people.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Navarrette does her job like a pro, delivering a chilling performance as a possessed lovesick young woman, with the real Nikki being tortured and trying to break free.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Whether it was penned by Apa or some Brit with possessed hips, the song soon took off.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for possessed
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
But no homes are so possessed with pottery of the truly enormous variety as Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus, whose Portuguese farmhouse appears on the cover of our June issue.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026
Once Nikki returns to herself, she’s still left with extreme trauma and consequences, given that the possessed version of her murdered two people.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Navarrette does her job like a pro, delivering a chilling performance as a possessed lovesick young woman, with the real Nikki being tortured and trying to break free.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Whether it was penned by Apa or some Brit with possessed hips, the song soon took off.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for possessed
Cite this Entry
“Possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possessed. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
