as in owning
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
she possesses a keen insight into people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of possessing
Andrey Lopez is facing eight charges related to selling, possessing and delivering drugs, including marijuana, psilocybin and an opioid, his arrest report read.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Despite possessing PhDs—her mother in chemistry and her father in architecture—her parents initially struggled to get work after immigrating.
—Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
Jalloh was barred from possessing a gun given a previous felony conviction for attempting to aid the Islamic State extremist group.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The assailant, Hassan Chokr, was sentenced to 34 months in prison in September for illegally possessing multiple firearms inside a gun store after leaving the synagogue.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member, was barred from possessing a gun after pleading guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State extremist group.
—Alan G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
But there is also a difference between being a good team and simply possessing a lot of good players.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Sanchez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Federal law generally prohibits felons from possessing guns.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
Despite possessing PhDs—her mother in chemistry and her father in architecture—her parents initially struggled to get work after immigrating.
—Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026
Jalloh was barred from possessing a gun given a previous felony conviction for attempting to aid the Islamic State extremist group.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The assailant, Hassan Chokr, was sentenced to 34 months in prison in September for illegally possessing multiple firearms inside a gun store after leaving the synagogue.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member, was barred from possessing a gun after pleading guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State extremist group.
—Alan G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
But there is also a difference between being a good team and simply possessing a lot of good players.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Sanchez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Federal law generally prohibits felons from possessing guns.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
Verb
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That means guests will be able to hop aboard superyachts from Monaco to Palm Beach to Dubai and host private events onboard without the responsibility of actually owning a vessel themselves.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2026
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Spot everything from Federal- to Gothic Revival– to Regency-style buildings in this southern city, and consider owning your own piece of the architectural pie.—
Amelia Mularz,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bradbury said having an identity is key in this league, and likes the physical brand of football played in head coach Ben Johnson's offense.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
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Aiding a teenager slumped on the ground having a medical episode this month led to North Miami Beach officers learning that a Miami Gardens man had been raping her for at least the last two years — a discovery that her mother had long since made, authorities say.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There were fears that the salary cap would prevent teams from retaining top players.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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The pipe was being used as a retaining structure to keep the surrounding soil from collapsing during the operation, officials said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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A day later, both sides were outside during breaks enjoying an unseasonably warm mid-March day in Manhattan.—
Doug Feinberg,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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The neighborhood/area Grab coffee at Café Lyria in Noho, take a cycling class at AARMY, stop by Baya Bar for a smoothie, spot your favorite TikToker while enjoying a plate of fries at Fanelli Café in Soho, then see the sunset in Washington Square Park, where people watching is a favorite pastime.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Possessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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