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 Clavicular has repeatedly described Bomer as possessing one of the most harmonious men’s faces in existence, elevating him from merely handsome movie star to something closer to a blueprint by which to measure male beauty. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 Three other juveniles were arrested on various other charges, such as possessing a firearm, trespassing and obstructing an officer. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026 Wilburn has prior felony convictions, including carjacking and the use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, legally prohibiting him from possessing firearms. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 Other organisms are polyploid, possessing three or more complete sets of chromosomes. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026 But his centre-forward qualities extend beyond pure physical strength, with Merino possessing genuine striker instincts, movement and anticipation. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Varèse-plus-Oladra rewards the listener with digital playback possessing the emotion expected of analogue. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 8 July 2026 Vinol Wilson, 52, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, keeping a dog for use in dog fighting, buying and receiving a dog for use in dog fighting venture and conspiring to violate the federal Animal Welfare Act’s animal fighting law. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Agents need to know that AI lowers the value of possessing information and raises the value of interpreting it. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
  1. owning
  2. having
  3. retaining
  4. enjoying
Verb
  • The licenses are split into 11 lots, valued at $230 million in total, with clauses to prevent a single company from owning all the spectrum bands.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 July 2026
  • What got lost in them is that approving a budget and owning a result are different jobs, and the second one tends to land on the CFO whether anyone formally assigns it or not.
    — David Zwick, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of owning
Verb
  • Many students today recall the pandemic as a time filled by moments at home with family, going to school in their pajamas or having a break from some of the social pressures of school.
    — Stacey Gillett, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • Nor to the notion of having a road named after him a century later.
    — Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of having
Verb
  • For some, this might have meant sitting in a compact defensive block to contain energy, while others rested on the ball, retaining possession and moving around the opposition.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • The same study found 65% of manufacturers cite attracting and retaining talent as their primary business challenge.
    — Rush LaSelle, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of retaining
Verb
  • Snooz recommends enjoying the ice cream approximately 1 to 2 hours before bedtime, according to the brand’s website.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
  • Be sure to stay hydrated when enjoying these more formidable temperatures.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of enjoying

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Cite this Entry

“Possessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessing. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on possessing

Nglish: Translation of possessing for Spanish Speakers

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