as in owns
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
she possesses a keen insight into people
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Recent Examples of possesses
While each of these submarines is designed to carry up to 16 nuclear missiles, France only possesses 48 ballistic missiles—enough to arm three submarines, as the remaining vessel is always undergoing routine maintenance, the Nuclear Information Project said.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
According to estimates by the Arms Control Association, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and the Federation of American Scientists, Russia possesses the most nuclear weapons in the world.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
In his own secret lair, Vilgefortz learns from Istredd that Ciri possesses a the power to collapse space and time — not only for the Continent, but for other spheres of reality.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
This molecule possesses both a low lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy and a minimal barrier for releasing lithium ions.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Hong Kong possesses the heritage, ecosystem, and connectivity to lead this transformation.
—Sunny Tan, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
While almost every living organism possesses an excretory system, most reptiles don’t eliminate excess nitrogen-containing waste in the form of liquid urine.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
True, Sophie Portnoy possesses none of Bess’s self-restraint, her ability to superimpose limits with the use of little more than a passing gesture, no more than a word or two.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
The fourth-year manager possesses a heightened ability to recite specific plays from specific games even months or years later.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
According to estimates by the Arms Control Association, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and the Federation of American Scientists, Russia possesses the most nuclear weapons in the world.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
In his own secret lair, Vilgefortz learns from Istredd that Ciri possesses a the power to collapse space and time — not only for the Continent, but for other spheres of reality.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
This molecule possesses both a low lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy and a minimal barrier for releasing lithium ions.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Hong Kong possesses the heritage, ecosystem, and connectivity to lead this transformation.
—Sunny Tan, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
While almost every living organism possesses an excretory system, most reptiles don’t eliminate excess nitrogen-containing waste in the form of liquid urine.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
True, Sophie Portnoy possesses none of Bess’s self-restraint, her ability to superimpose limits with the use of little more than a passing gesture, no more than a word or two.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
The fourth-year manager possesses a heightened ability to recite specific plays from specific games even months or years later.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possesses
Verb
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David Ellison owns Skydance Media, and the company has expressed interest in shifting CBS News to produce apolitical content, per NPR.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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The attorney for Waterfront Construction, the Miami company that owns the tug and barge that hit the sailboat, said the sailboat crossed paths with the much larger, hard-to-maneuver barge.—
David Goodhue
October 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Every company in the Fortune 500 Europe top 10 has roots from before the Second World War.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
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Besides being one of the best ways to stay warm, puffer jackets are also unbelievably packable, much like this Eddie Bauer down jacket that has insulation for chilly days but can be folded or rolled to practically half its size.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Plus, the pad and ports are discreetly tucked into the top shelf, so the lamp retains its classic aesthetic.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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Baldoni retains his right to appeal the defamation case judgment to a higher court once a decision is rendered on Lively’s right to recoup fees.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Admittedly, this may delight a curious gardener who enjoys seeing what novelties a volunteer plant can produce.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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But as the region enjoys a recent surge in popularity, it’s welcomed a spate of new projects that continue to add to its vast tourism landscape.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Possesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possesses. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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