as in jealous
intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness he was very possessive of his girlfriend's attention, and it was really starting to annoy her

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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 possessive In parallel, Trump put the European Union in the crosshairs of his on-again, off-again trade war, while his possessive rhetoric regarding Canada and Greenland has stoked outrage and alarm across the alliance. Joel Gehrke, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025 Little by little, the leaf curls over the insect, almost as if possessive, as the digestive process begins. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025 While Ventura’s relationships with other men have nothing to do with the charges against Combs, prosecutors have used them in attempt to paint a picture of his possessive, controlling and violent behavior. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025 Linda Stermer: Todd was an extremely jealous and possessive person. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for possessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessive
jealous
Adjective
  • In a 2017 study where participants were induced to feel jealous, those with anxious attachment styles experienced the highest levels of jealousy.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • So hot that its Bank of America Stadium roommate, the Carolina Panthers, has to be a little bit jealous.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Possessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessive. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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