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 Fogel was imprisoned in 2021, sentenced to 14 years on charges of possessing marijuana. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Randy and Ramon Landa were also charged with being a felon possessing a weapon, sheriff’s police said. — Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Takaichi supports the first two principles of not possessing and developing nuclear weapons. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 Jason and Megan Showers are charged with placing explosives near property and possessing bombs with unlawful intent, both felonies that each carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Sheriff’s officials said he previously had been arrested on suspicion of possessing an assault weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. — Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Though quietly caring and possessing rich inner worlds, both King and Etna are dispassionate narrators. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026 Texans caught possessing products covered by the ban can face serious criminal penalties. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026 MIlls pleaded guilty to burglarizing Up Coffee and Heather's and possessing burglary tools at The Briar. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
  1. owning
  2. having
  3. retaining
  4. enjoying
Verb
  • The Brewers are the small-market overachievers, who somehow have retained their little-engine-that-could persona despite owning the best regular-season record in baseball last year.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • There was leakage from the defensive front, which at times struggled setting the edge, and owning the line of scrimmage.
    — Omar Kelly August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of owning
Verb
  • This, in turn, left the defence exposed, with Sheffield United having 20 attempts on goal in Wrexham’s 2-1 fightback win at Bramall Lane in mid-March.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Macron had ordered the government to expedite this bill’s passage through parliament, with the aim of having legislation in place for the beginning of the school year in September.
    — Pierre P Bairin, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of having
Verb
  • Protecting the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is essential to ensuring America can continue recruiting and retaining the public servants our communities depend on.
    — Verna L. Williams, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For now, sister station KOLA is retaining its air staff; KOLA is one of the most successful stations in the IE.
    — Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of retaining
Verb
  • The lodge is usually buzzing with guests playing card games, enjoying daily happy hour, or sitting by the roaring fireplace.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Celebrations began early for Berry, who has been enjoying vacation at the ultra-exclusive and luxury Kokomo private island resort in Fiji with her fiancé Van Hunt.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoying

Browse Nearby Words

possesses
possessing
possession
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Cite this Entry

“Possessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessing. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on possessing

Nglish: Translation of possessing for Spanish Speakers

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