possession

Definition of possessionnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in occupancy
the act or fact of residing in a place squatters had established possession in the abandoned warehouse

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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 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
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
  • Herring, who has custody of her two younger children, also brought her clothes and other belongings, the affidavit states.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Further, renters can protect their belongings with renters insurance.
    Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 13 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
  • Greene and Bedard have expressed their enjoyment in skating alongside Burakovsky this season.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • This redesign is long overdue and will provide a sense of ease and enjoyment to one of Brooklyn's most important public spaces.
    Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Word was for writing things up.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
  • But if the Mets don’t start scoring some runs and cleaning things up, there won’t be any games again come October, and owner Steve Cohen, who is in attendence this week at Dodger Stadium, could take action.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 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 next era of space habitation will not be built with small thinking, Miyan said.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Instead, SkyDream is attempting to co-design mobility, energy storage, and habitation as a single architecture.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possession. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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