dispose

Definition of disposenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dispose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of dispose are bias, incline, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When might bias be a better fit than dispose?

The synonyms bias and dispose are sometimes interchangeable, but bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When can incline be used instead of dispose?

The words incline and dispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

Where would predispose be a reasonable alternative to dispose?

Although the words predispose and dispose have much in common, 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?

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 dispose The federal government’s approval is needed in order to dispose or repurpose the buses, DTPW said. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026 Safely disposing of dead satellites—by dragging them down to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere or boosting them out of the way of other orbiting objects—is a problem the industry still hasn’t solved. Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 12 June 2026 City leaders say the funding from philanthropic foundation Crankstart will help expand enforcement tools, including surveillance cameras and drone operations, while also boosting outreach to residents about legal ways to dispose of bulky waste. CBS News, 12 June 2026 Ruben helped Raq clean up the scene and take the body to dispose of it. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispose
Verb
  • The Pacific Bin — Devon Loerop Built from five shipping containers, the Pacific Bin is a shipping-container house situated in the forests of the Cascade Mountains, just an hour from Seattle.
    Caitlin Gunther, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026
  • Although the quiet might lead you to call it quaint, Lake Maurepas is actually one of the biggest lakes in Louisiana, situated directly west of its even bigger brother, Lake Pontchartrain.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Yet more than half of its counties are classified as maternity care deserts — areas with no hospital or birth center offering obstetric services and no obstetric clinicians, as defined by the March of Dimes.
    Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, STAT, 19 June 2026
  • Despite affecting nearly 100,000 Americans, SCD is classified as an orphan disease, defined as a condition that strikes fewer than 200,000 people.
    Audrey Boone Tillman, Fortune, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Lola Vice will put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Kendal Grey, Myles Borne will defend the NXT North American Championship against Tavion Heights, Wren Sinclair will face a challenger for the WWE Women’s Speed Championship and Saquon Shugars takes on Dion Lennox.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • Earlier, a pair of Harry Kane goals — his ninth and 10th at World Cups — had twice put England ahead, only for some sloppy defending and smart attacking play to give Croatia a route back.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Angelina Guatemala, 64, counted on federal food stamps after retiring a couple of years ago in Ogden, Kansas, from assorted jobs arranging flowers, decorating cakes in shops, and preparing meals.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 19 June 2026
  • How to Make Homemade Croutons In the Oven Preheat the oven to 450°F and arrange the rack in the middle position.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Oslo University Hospital on June 5 said Mette-Marit had been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant after a significant deterioration in her health that likely gave her only a year left to live without the surgery.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • Due to safety concerns, deputies then placed a camera under the door to see inside the apartments.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Let your mind wander and organize itself naturally during the Virgo moon.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 20 June 2026
  • Talent agencies are organizing around the same principle.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Police have sought Sanchez-Munoz in a pair of standoffs — one in Kansas City and another in Independence — but so far have not located him.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2026
  • The area, located in Kershaw County, South Carolina, is filled with shallow, unmarked graves, the FHD team said.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Talarico also came under fire in May for ordering a meatless taco.
    Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2026
  • That has worried digital rights and free speech activists, who say that India is increasingly using its powers to silence online voices opposing the government, including ordering social media takedowns and blocking access to some accounts.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Dispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispose. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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