possessing

verb

present participle of possess
as in owning
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 possessing Derico Lowery, 31, was charged with first-degree murder and possessing a firearm as a felon in connection with the death of De’Tavion Marques Levi, 28, of Des Moines. — Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 11 Sep. 2026 Pennsylvania does not have a statewide law that broadly prohibits adults from possessing alcohol outdoors. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Joshua Wasson, 25, of Jasper, pleaded guilty in Dubois Circuit Court to one Level 6 felony count of intimidation and misdemeanor charges of possessing marijuana and paraphernalia. — Casey Smith, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026 Kane and colleagues found that possessing an intimidating size wouldn't guarantee a Venusian moon's survival, either. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Andre Duckett, a 39-year-old San Jose resident, was charged with murder and illegally possessing a firearm as a felon; he was previously convicted for statutory rape in Contra Costa County. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 He also was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and burglary tools. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Bates was sentenced to three consecutive life terms on charges of possessing the images, plus 40 years to be served concurrently on a charge of online solicitation of a minor, according to the statement. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 Cassidy is also charged with knowingly possessing or accessing, with intent to view, child pornography through about June 1, 2026. — Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
  1. owning
  2. having
  3. retaining
  4. enjoying
Verb
  • Now Walter faces questions about his future owning the Dodgers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The report sets the 30-year net present value of owning a stadium between $211 million and $637 million.
    — Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of owning
Verb
  • One benefit of Emiliano Martinez’s long goodbye was Villa having time to map out the road ahead.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • From Elle Duncan's OJ-like gloves to having Roger Goodell put on a kangaroo coat, the Netflix broadcasts feel so cheap.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of having
Verb
  • Smaller components, broader uses The approach could make frequency-conversion devices much smaller while retaining efficient light conversion.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Saikia said the track’s soundscape aimed to hold the depth of Azmi’s poetry and Nooran’s voice while retaining the soul of Sufi music.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of retaining
Verb
  • Dennis did manage to recall enjoying chef LaQueanya Henry of Sugar Coated Cupcakes’s fig honey-vanilla cheesecake, layered with almond shortbread crumble, Black Mission fig compote, honey mascarpone and pistachio praline crunch.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • These chicken thighs take very well to batch-cooking at the start of the week and enjoying in the ensuing days.
    — Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of enjoying

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possessing
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Cite this Entry

“Possessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessing. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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