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
Brian Dunne’s terrific new album Clams Casino possesses that same kind of teleportation magic, albeit with less nostalgia and more melancholy.
—
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Sometimes the Essex Hellhound possesses a man.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Despite the offseason loss of both coordinators, Detroit still possesses a deep roster.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Most often it’s considered an evil spirit that preys upon and possesses those who become lost in a literal or metaphorical sense.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Our generation still possesses experiential knowledge of decision-making processes that predate algorithmic assistance.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Gastón Solnicki’s latest work features a magnetic central performance from Willem Dafoe, it is artfully composed with painterly images, shots of Vienna at sunset are exquisite, and its spartan dialogue possesses a dry wit.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Scoring is a natural scoring that not every player possesses.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
The new stipulations would not apply to law enforcement or military personnel, nor anyone who possesses a gun on campus with permission.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Sometimes the Essex Hellhound possesses a man.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Despite the offseason loss of both coordinators, Detroit still possesses a deep roster.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Most often it’s considered an evil spirit that preys upon and possesses those who become lost in a literal or metaphorical sense.
—Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Our generation still possesses experiential knowledge of decision-making processes that predate algorithmic assistance.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Gastón Solnicki’s latest work features a magnetic central performance from Willem Dafoe, it is artfully composed with painterly images, shots of Vienna at sunset are exquisite, and its spartan dialogue possesses a dry wit.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Scoring is a natural scoring that not every player possesses.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
The new stipulations would not apply to law enforcement or military personnel, nor anyone who possesses a gun on campus with permission.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possesses
Verb
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The Gary Housing Authority, which owns the schools, and the city of Gary are completing state and federal approvals for the demolition of Emerson and Horace Mann, and two adjacent vacant elementaries, Spaulding and Vohr.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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Musk currently owns 410 million shares of Tesla shares, worth $139 billion at Thursday’s closing price.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While Cruz is still working to get Democratic sponsors for his bill, the issue has support from across the aisle.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Governance protects employee attention, retains trust and reinforces strategic communication.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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But hoping to dodge this defense, WB didn't argue that Midjourney retains copies of its images.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some actors might choose to step away from such a thing, or even be frustrated by it or it being brought up in interviews, but Fischer clearly enjoys every last moment of her good fortune from a former era, even now.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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While the employees of Dunder Mifflin largely were just punching a clock, the Truth Teller staff enjoys their work.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Possesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possesses. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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