1
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
a student who was found to have several overdue library books in his possession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in belongings
possessions plural
transportable items that one owns
we packed up all of our possessions and excitedly moved into a new house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in occupancy
the act or fact of residing in a place
squatters had established possession in the abandoned warehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 possession
They were also charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, endangerment and possession of explosives.
—
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Portland’s Toumani Camara made it 101-93 on Portland’s next possession.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The Nets have one fewer win than the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, who are tied for fourth, and Brooklyn needs to lose its final two games to maintain sole possession of third.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 26-year-old Travis Turner, of Roseville, was arraigned on one count of operating while intoxicated causing death and one count of possession of a firearm while under the influence.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for possession
Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Portland’s Toumani Camara made it 101-93 on Portland’s next possession.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The Nets have one fewer win than the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, who are tied for fourth, and Brooklyn needs to lose its final two games to maintain sole possession of third.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 26-year-old Travis Turner, of Roseville, was arraigned on one count of operating while intoxicated causing death and one count of possession of a firearm while under the influence.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for possession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possession
Noun
-
On Saturday, the troubled pop star uploaded a video dancing in a sheer black bodysuit while covering her breasts with her hands.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
-
As Horner said in court with his head in his hands, audio played from a phone call with his mother.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the last couple of weeks, hundreds of boxes with Andrew’s belongings have been delivered, the outlet reported.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
And a firefighter who was charged with brutally attacking a woman in a road rage incident in 2019, then got probation and now faces two more felony charges for allegedly urinating on a female co-worker’s belongings.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The highest occupancy is Thursday, when nearly 68% of rooms are booked so far, Ivery said.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Society Apartments on Pratt Street were cleared by the city for occupancy just a week ago and a preleasing push has drawn nine applications — all now approved — with one of the 38 apartments already occupied.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Getting enough sleep is vital to your enjoyment of the rest of life!—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Your family's own enjoyment is a perfectly good reason to do any of these projects.—
Jenny Hughes,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And once on the other side of those things, Christy Martin began living a different kind of double life.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The implication is that she got distracted and failed to notice the most important things.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Among them are the New Yorker writer Emily Hahn, who was living in Hong Kong under Japanese occupation, and Donald Hasuike, a fourteen-year-old Japanese American who was interned at a camp in Colorado with family before being shipped to Japan against his will.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The final regulation the IRS released Friday names over 70 occupations that may receive tips which may qualify for the deduction, as well as a clarified definition of qualifying tips.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even though there was some absurd stuff on the show, people did legitimately do things that were outrageous back then.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This is distinct from writing that is humorous, the stuff that will give you a wry smile at best.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The mayor also says the city could need to stop enforcing laws against street camping and vehicle habitation if there are major cuts to city-run lots for people living in vehicles or tents.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Through the continuous habitation of the International Space Station in low Earth orbit for the past 26 years, scientists have come to better understand the effects of microgravity on the human body.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possession. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
