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
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Recent Examples of possession
Valakari, who made a midfield tackle to gain possession, lobbed a pass that sailed just behind the streaking Dreyer but within the window of two Portland defenders.
—
Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
When Boston regained possession after Sixers rookie standout VJ Edgecombe bricked two free throws with 8.5 seconds remaining – the lone blemishes in a scintillating 34-point debut for the No. 3 overall pick – head coach Joe Mazzulla drew up a sideline out-of-bounds play for Brown.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Mangione was arrested five days later in Altoona, Pennsylvania, allegedly in possession of the murder weapon and a manifesto critical of the health insurance industry.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But his defensive efficiency (points given up on his watch) slipped to a career worst 120 per 100 possessions.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possession
Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
When Boston regained possession after Sixers rookie standout VJ Edgecombe bricked two free throws with 8.5 seconds remaining – the lone blemishes in a scintillating 34-point debut for the No. 3 overall pick – head coach Joe Mazzulla drew up a sideline out-of-bounds play for Brown.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Mangione was arrested five days later in Altoona, Pennsylvania, allegedly in possession of the murder weapon and a manifesto critical of the health insurance industry.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
But his defensive efficiency (points given up on his watch) slipped to a career worst 120 per 100 possessions.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for possession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possession
Noun
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Its approach suggests that in the years since Ferrante first made her way into American readers’ hands, the status of feminist writing has seen a true shift.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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What Happens Next There will likely be long delays before SNAP benefits actually make it into the hands of beneficiaries again.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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So, between lockable zippers, anti-slash fabric, and RFID blockers, the right bag needs to pull quadruple duty in protecting your belongings.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
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The purse also has multiple pockets, including a zipper pocket and a slip pocket inside, as well as an exterior pocket on the back to keep belongings organized.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The occupancy rate for its homes and affiliate hotels also dropped from 73% to 56% during that same period, although a $300 increase in average daily rates made up some of the difference.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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One single occupancy, accessible restroom in the Music Theater lobby.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Moviegoers' comic enjoyment was so prominent that at one point, a foul-mouthed viewer yelled for everyone to shut up.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In almost every case, those who took photos reported greater levels of enjoyment.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Those on nine-month contracts must devote 480 hours to instruction — which can include things like lab work, clinical work and internships in addition to lecture time — over the course of the contract.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
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Because, in waking life, the truth is that things haven’t been the same since the strain of raising two young kids started to wear on their parents.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The failures of that occupation were many, relating to security, governance, the economy, and provision of basic municipal services.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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With the sharp decline in migrants, the village's economy has taken a major hit, forcing residents back to traditional occupations.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The movie also has an ace in the hole with Glen Powell, one of the few contemporary alpha-charisma actors that feel built for stuff like this and believably might have been bred in a farm upstate that specializes in All-American movie stars with gajillion-watt grins.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
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The new regulations are supposed to regulate all hazardous transport through the reservation, not just uranium, but also oil and gas, methane, whatever kind of radioactive stuff.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Work at the site to determine a more detailed timeline of dinosaur habitation began in 2011.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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In a year, Phoenix saw a sharp rise in homelessness In 2024, an annual count of people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix decreased for the first time in years, with 2,701 people found in places unfit for habitation, a 19% drop from the 3,333 people reported in 2023.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possession. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
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