POSSESS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

possess

verb

pə-ˈzes

Definition of possess

as in to have

to keep, control, or experience as one's own she possesses a keen insight into people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 possess There’s something within Cathy that Charles senses within himself, some capacity for darkness Adam doesn’t naturally possess. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 Step around, and potentially inside, awe-inspiring vehicles from the film, or come face-to-face with the Bene Gesserit, a group of priestesses who possess, among other things, the ability to bend the will of others. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Trump already possesses a Nobel medal, just not one awarded to him. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 The Tennessee man accused of killing a Kentucky state trooper was on probation and already wanted for a violation, with a criminal record that included assault, fraud and illegally possessing a gun. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possess

Recent Examples of Synonyms for possess

Verb

The Israeli authorities have questions to answer, said The Jerusalem Post.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
New York City has policies that limit local law enforcement from sharing certain information with federal officers or honoring detainer requests unless immigrants have been convicted of violent crimes.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of have

Verb

In that world, humans might retain (for a while) a desire to acknowledge the role of AI in those discoveries, even bestowing previously human-only awards upon the responsible AI agents.

— Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Jamal, who co-founded the Somali Justice Advocacy Center, which helps immigrants find pro bono attorneys, also helped retain a lawyer for the Somali teenager charged with piracy in the infamous Captain Richard Phillips hostage-taking.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of retain

Verb

In addition, the distribution of that wealth is uneven as certain households own substantial property and investment portfolios while others don’t.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
The design now spans bracelets, earrings, rings, and watches, and is said to rank among the highest performing products in the Richemont group, which owns the maison.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of own

Verb

Homegrown chip design firm SkyeChip also enjoyed a blockbuster IPO on the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange in May, surging 300% on its main market debut.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Fans of modernist architecture will find much else to enjoy, too – not least in Ibirapuera Park, with its striking array of mid-century buildings by Oscar Niemeyer, including the pavilion that now houses the superb Museu Afro Brasil.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoy

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posses

possess

possessed

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Style

“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possess. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of possess

verb

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