How to Use possess in a Sentence

possess

verb

• The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen.
• He possesses a keen wit.
• He dreams of someday possessing great wealth.
• The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors.
• Do dolphins possess the ability to use language?
• The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine.
• After the latter, San Ysidro was able to possess the ball nearly the rest of the game.
  — Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2024
• Less than half of students possess the reading and math skills to progress to the next grade.
  — New York Times, 27 Jan. 2022
• The outlook for the rest of 2021 doesn’t possess nearly the same juice, which is apt for one of the strangest years on record.
  — Luke Winkie, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2021
• Bill Wilkins was a pawn in Valak’s scheme to possess Janet Hodgson.
  — Vulture, 15 Sep. 2023
• That’s the kind of power that Wanda and Strange do not possess.
  — Chris Smith, BGR, 16 Feb. 2022
• Does any item in a men’s wardrobe possess more character than the trench coat?
  — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
• The humans in that one are keeping a list called The Achilles List of apes that might possess the smarts and the brawn to hit them in their achilles heel.
  — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2021
• The Wa possess high-tech weaponry: artillery, drones, and missiles that can knock jets out of the sky.
  — Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
• One of them, Casey, was possessed by secrets for all of her childhood.
  — Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
• Instead of black, opt for a cool steely blue that possesses depth but evokes a sense of calm.
  — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025
• The measure would allow Ohioans age 21 and older to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and grow plants at home.
  — Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 13 May 2022
• The invasive species can have up to a 4-inch leg span and possess venom in their fangs.
  — Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
• Britain served as the nation’s largest trade partner and possessed the world’s biggest navy.
  — Lindsay M. Chervinsky / Made By History, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024
• Newton possessed the speed to beat defenders, but had the strength of a fullback.
  — Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
• Still, some of the gun owners who spoke with ABC News questioned the need to possess the powerful weapons.
  — Samara Lynn, ABC News, 10 June 2022
• He was ordered not to possess a firearm or other weapons.
  — Steve Leblanc and Ben Fox, Chron, 26 Apr. 2022
• Carpet pythons are not venomous but do possess a nasty bite thanks to dozens of teeth.
  — Warren Kulo | [e-mail], al, 30 Aug. 2023
• Some Vols fans possess years-old cigars, in hopes of one day getting to light up in triumph again.
  — Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 10 June 2022
• So, is the desire to possess or vend luxury items out of step?
  — Michael Polk, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2021
• Ammons claimed that she and her three children had been possessed by demons.
  — Marisa Kwiatkowski, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Sep. 2024
• The Dipper's handle must be the bear's long tail, yet bears possess short, stubby tails.
  — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 May 2025
• Here are traits that men do not like and possess unabashedly.
  — Kellee Terrell, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2021
• The spirits of jealous lovers possess and sicken primary characters; scandals in one generation echo, transformed, in the next.
  — Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
• America possesses the ingenuity to rebuild a thriving industry and reshore much of what went overseas.
  — Ethan Karp, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025