predispose

as in to influence
formal to cause (someone) to be more likely to behave in a particular way or to be affected by a particular condition Past experiences have predisposed her to distrust people. Researchers have identified a gene that may predispose some people to the disease.

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How is the word predispose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predispose are bias, dispose, and incline. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

When is it sensible to use bias instead of predispose?

The words bias and predispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When is dispose a more appropriate choice than predispose?

While the synonyms dispose and predispose are close in meaning, dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

Where would incline be a reasonable alternative to predispose?

While in some cases nearly identical to predispose, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

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 predispose And are such premature returns predisposing them to Achilles injuries? Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 What myths, scripts, and stories had predisposed them to accept the limitations placed on them from within and without? Dayna Tortorici, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 Speaking of the Jump Kit, if the Fix Kit player is predisposed with enemies or another task, the impactor’s electric shock can also repair machines in a pinch. Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025 The study found that some labradors have a mutation in their DNA that could predispose them to weight gain. Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predispose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predispose
Verb
  • Taking control of those first few hours will influence your cortisol levels for the rest of the day.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 5 July 2025
  • Tariffs have also influenced the interest rates consumers pay on their debt.
    Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • As the relationship between the young couple became more serious, Sarah’s parents tried to show him the best of Kansas City in the hopes that Yaron — who grew up in Germany and Israel — might be persuaded to stay in the US.
    Wolf Blitzer, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
  • Even with that new path looming, though, his father, Ignacio, persuaded him to attend one last tryout in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo that would be scouted by all 30 MLB teams.
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Kubler convinced Rucker’s wife to take out a $14 million life insurance policy to generate fees and commission that Kubler paid to himself as the placing agent, according to the lawsuit.
    Sydney Sasser, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Predispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predispose. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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