as in owning
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
she possesses a keen insight into people
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Recent Examples of possessing
He is charged with being unlawfully present in the United States while possessing firearms.
—
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Josh, 37, is currently three years into his nearly 13-year prison sentence for receiving and possessing child pornography.
—Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
New Zealand has strict gun laws, which require an additional permit for possessing pistols specifically.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Murdock was banned from possessing guns because of a 2013 felony burglary conviction.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
In 2019, there were five high-profile security issues at the Golden complex, including a staff member arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, multiple escapes by violent young people and a riot between rival gangs, which injured three staff members.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Richardson was originally charged in Orange County with a felony count of criminal threats, a felony count of possessing brass knuckles, a felony count of possessing a dirk or dagger, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a large-capacity magazine.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
He was charged with possessing unregistered firearms and unlawful ammunition, and with making a threat to injure someone from across state lines.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Four charges of manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and more than 1,000 marijuana plants.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Josh, 37, is currently three years into his nearly 13-year prison sentence for receiving and possessing child pornography.
—Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
New Zealand has strict gun laws, which require an additional permit for possessing pistols specifically.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Murdock was banned from possessing guns because of a 2013 felony burglary conviction.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
In 2019, there were five high-profile security issues at the Golden complex, including a staff member arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, multiple escapes by violent young people and a riot between rival gangs, which injured three staff members.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Richardson was originally charged in Orange County with a felony count of criminal threats, a felony count of possessing brass knuckles, a felony count of possessing a dirk or dagger, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a large-capacity magazine.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
He was charged with possessing unregistered firearms and unlawful ammunition, and with making a threat to injure someone from across state lines.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
Four charges of manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and more than 1,000 marijuana plants.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
Verb
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In addition to owning companies outright, Berkshire holds stocks worth more than $250 billion, including large stakes in Apple, Coca-Cola, Bank of America and American Express.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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Just look at how the secondary has improved, now owning the ninth-best passing defense.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Martin Odegaard hobbling off the Emirates pitch for the third time in as many starts would have frustrated Mikel Arteta, but having Martin Zubimendi waiting in the wings is a luxury any manager would dream of.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Why does one hard working fan have to buy seven different versions of an album instead of just having all of the songs be on one complete album?—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Of course, this requires an incredible sense of equilibrium in the vineyard, including pinpointing when the grapes have reached full ripeness while still retaining a very high level of acidity, leaving a very small window for picking.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
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Mulch has many benefits in the garden, like retaining soil moisture, insulating roots, and deterring weeds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After almost two decades of playing against Stephen Curry, Al Horford is enjoying playing with the man who is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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This salty-sweet snack comes in a sharing size candy bag, perfect for enjoying on the go.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Possessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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