Definition of dispositionnext
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as in removal
the getting rid of whatever is unwanted or useless we'll have to find some means for the disposition of all of this junk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word disposition distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of disposition are character, personality, temperament, and temper. While all these words mean "the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group," disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.

a cheerful disposition

When is it sensible to use character instead of disposition?

While the synonyms character and disposition are close in meaning, character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.

strength of character

When could personality be used to replace disposition?

The words personality and disposition are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.

a somber personality

When might temper be a better fit than disposition?

While in some cases nearly identical to disposition, temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.

a resilient temper

When is temperament a more appropriate choice than disposition?

The words temperament and disposition can be used in similar contexts, but temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.

an artistic temperament

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disposition The disposition of that case was not immediately clear Wednesday. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026 For now, their wait continues, with Jamaica’s sunny weather and Wade’s sunny disposition giving them hope. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026 Day argues that Iran hawks display a dangerous ideological disposition. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Hurley was burned out after his Huskies failed to play to the program’s standard, and after he was pummeled nationally during the 2024-25 season for his combustible sideline disposition, in Maui and beyond. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disposition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disposition
Noun
  • The former three-star recruit has the production, movement skills and temperament to hear his name early.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Setting the film in the Midwest helped tune it to Odenkirk’s particular temperament.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?
    David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The 11 satellites on board are flying to a mid-inclination orbit.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Philz workers, customers, and the LGBTQ+ community widely interpreted the Pride flag removal as a betrayal of the community, which Philz supported and built its brand around.
    Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Gluesenkamp Perez argued that current federal law does not allow for the removal and euthanization of sea lions at a fast enough pace.
    Haris Alic, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The prosecuting attorney provided additional details to PEOPLE about the sequence of events in the murders Rodriguez admitted to in his plea.
    Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
  • If the Heat had held on, if LaMelo Ball had not scored at the end, Tyler’s sequence would have gone down as one of the most dramatic in the franchise’s 38 seasons.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His starting point was not optimism about the likelihood of human agreement but a sober recognition of its unlikelihood.
    Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • While classes will remain in session, CPS reached an agreement last week to provide transportation to students who chose to participate in an afternoon rally, and to allow teachers to implement a curriculum on civic engagement.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Thursday’s hearings are Kennedy’s first since a heated Senate Finance Committee appearance in September, where tempers rose as Kennedy defended his firing of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez.
    Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 16 Apr. 2026
  • OpenAI has moved to temper expectations of its spending plans as a potential IPO looms this year.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There’s enough aptitude on the roster and the front office to make a wild-card bid work.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Mark Ruffin, a onetime music director at WBEE, recalled Alston’s enterprising nature and her aptitude for sales.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Medical professionals are trained to treat patients using all the skills, treatments and medical breakthroughs at their disposal.
    Oc Register, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
  • With the tools already at our disposal, the people of Earth can make it so.
    Antony Davies, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disposition. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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