as in influences
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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Recent Examples of predisposes
Ricks has a brain that predisposes him to violent behavior, according to a neuroscience researcher called by the defense as a witness.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
The substance also damages airways and predisposes individuals to develop many chronic lung diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
The substance also damages airways and predisposes individuals to develop many chronic lung diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predisposes
Verb
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The Texas economy has been growing, but that is not the only thing that influences the inflow of potential migrants.—
Mike Schneider,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Araminta inadvertently influences Sophie’s reconnection with Benedict (Luke Thompson) out in the countryside after Sophie’s stepmother sends her packing.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But Saccharine slips off the rails, especially once Hana convinces Josie that Bertha’s spirit has latched onto her in malevolent ways, growing bigger and stronger all the time.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
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But the feint convinces almost no one, because Newsom is perhaps the least Falstaffian man in wine.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most of the passengers are content to wait for the driver to figure things out, but Folarin persuades a passing truck driver to take him and his sons the rest of the way.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
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Capability alone no longer persuades buyers who now want proof of systems that work quietly in the background while results take the center stage.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Naturally, your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance for gore, but the over-the-top appeal of Thanksgiving is how the serial killer creatively disposes of his victims, including one scene in which someone is served as a Turkey Day feast.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Nov. 2025
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The ruling disposes of a portion of the 27-year-old musician's filing.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The moto can climb inclines up to 45 degrees – a feat most electric motorcycles dressed as dirt bikes can’t offer.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
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The simulation added challenges for the avatars — like slippery floors, inclines or stiff joints – and homed in on the best way for Atlas to perform the jumping jacks.—
Bill Whitaker,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predisposes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predisposes. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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