prepossession

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən
Definition of prepossessionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prepossession contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prepossession are bias, predilection, and prejudice. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

When can bias be used instead of prepossession?

The meanings of bias and prepossession largely overlap; however, bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

Where would predilection be a reasonable alternative to prepossession?

Although the words predilection and prepossession have much in common, predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

In what contexts can prejudice take the place of prepossession?

In some situations, the words prejudice and prepossession are roughly equivalent. However, prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prepossession
Noun
  • Pike didn’t always have such a cogent theory of the power of the body in performance.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The idea that the absence of private property and systematic inequality automatically removes coercion—which forms the core of the Marxist theory of history—is not proven.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This latest obsession from Japan focuses on a plump, fresh finish, one that calls to mind the softness and suppleness of the famous Japanese dessert for which it is named.
    — Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Two groups on Beirut City Pop, Force and Games, are fronted by Saadi, and each shows different sides of his obsessions.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The firm also cut its price target to $11 from $13 and raised its fuel expense assumption for the third quarter to about $207 million.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • This assumption is oversimplified, and the problem is partly one of accounting.
    — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The judges cited admission policies that allowed private schools to reject students with behavioral problems, disabilities or poor academic performance.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Still, many challenging open questions must be answered before the Many Worlds interpretation can be accepted as our best explanation for the measurement problem.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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