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 The terms of his release prohibited him from possessing firearms or committing another federal, state or local crime. — Cbs Baltimore, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026 New details have emerged regarding the arrest of Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle’s father, on charges of possessing child pornography. — Antonella Rossi, Vanity Fair, 11 Nov. 2026 These executive residences tend to be grand in style and scale, often possessing a long, rich history—even some haunted ones. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026 He was released under conditions which included turning in any firearms or other dangerous weapons within 48 hours, not possessing any firearms and staying away from Nichols School, according to Cook County court documents. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 Morgenthau saw in Lincoln a rare leader who was never possessed by power, instead possessing it and, ultimately, subordinating it to transcendent values. — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026 Her voice has a clear affinity with Vashti Bunyan’s, possessing a maternal warmth and formal poise that can sound tender without becoming mannered. — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026 When lawmakers meet next year, the Texas Cannabis Policy Center is focused on reducing the penalty for possessing marijuana. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 In 2017, researchers demonstrated a slumber-like state in upside-down jellyfish, animals possessing nerve nets rather than centralized brains. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
  1. owning
  2. having
  3. retaining
  4. enjoying
Verb
  • The subsequent death of Maricarmen, as the woman became known, solidified her as a symbol of Spaniards who can't dream of owning a home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Milstein said that living in paradise magnifies the problems of owning a home.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of owning
Verb
  • Anyone who works with multiple monitors knows the pain of having cables cluttered chaotically around their desk.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Moon’s opposition to Saturn asks for patience with the gap between having an idea and knowing how to carry it out.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of having
Verb
  • These connections may experience interference or dropouts independently of the control link, meaning a pilot can sometimes lose the camera feed while retaining control of the aircraft.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Airlines and aircraft operators will be responsible for collecting and retaining each person’s attestation, which must be obtained prior to boarding.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of retaining
Verb
  • An evening spent practicing, creating, or enjoying your own company can strengthen your life outside the group without weakening the friendship.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The video provided by the zoo showed Ping Ping and Fu Shuang chowing down on bamboo stalks and enjoying their habitat.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 6 Nov. 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 Nov. 2026.

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