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 Minnesota scored on roughly two-thirds of its possessions over the last 18 minutes. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026 Despite owning a majority of possession time, SDFC is struggling to convert into goals. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, Khanna worked with the gadfly Republican congressman Thomas Massie on a bill that would force Trump’s second-term Justice Department to make public all the Epstein documents in its possession, with minimal redactions. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 In 2018, the state legislature passed a law that outlawed the possession and sale of bump stocks, along with trigger cranks and devices that make the gun operate like an automatic weapon. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possession
Noun
  • Football has traditionally been a conduit for protests in Iran, with the national team refusing to sing the anthem on several occasions over recent decades, including during the 2009 Green Movement and after the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police in 2022.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The Norwegian had just scored the winning goal in his team’s 2-1 victory against title rival Arsenal, a result which puts the fate of the trophy in City’s hands with just five matches left to play.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Casias, 53, was last seen walking on a highway near Talpa, New Mexico, in June 2025, according to New Mexico State Police, leaving her belongings at home and a phone that had been factory-reset, NBC News reported.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Among the gunman’s belongings was a photo modified by artificial intelligence showing him alongside the Columbine attackers, according to a state official who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to address the media.
    Maria Verza, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In November 2016, Arlington voters approved the extension of a half-cent sales tax, as well as a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax and 5 percent car rental tax, to help the Rangers build a new, retractable-roof stadium, which opened in 2020.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Major soundstages recorded a 62 percent occupancy rate during the first six months of 2025, down one percent from anemic levels recorded in 2024, according to data released from local film office FilmLA in March.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • For Selva, that information only enhances the enjoyment of a purchase.
    Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
  • My enjoyment was always hampered by trying to manipulate and enlarge the grid.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Confirm timing, assign ownership, and keep things clear.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • But things got wild when the robot started break dancing and bashing itself into a million robotic pieces.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The goal of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel is to end hostilities and the occupation of southern Lebanon, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement today.
    Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Other state programs may offer forgiveness based on your finances rather than your occupation.
    Annie Nova, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • No, that stuff is all incredible and very much the result of good fortune in my career.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • To hell with all that superstitious stuff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Though it was rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, the church was originally founded during the town's Norman period and constructed atop far older habitation.
    Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Release the groundhog 10 to 20 miles away from human habitation.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possession. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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