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
  • The tobacco trials — which took place over decades but began to shift in favor of plaintiffs in the ’90s — similarly saw various types of plaintiffs file a wave of lawsuits, contributing to the release of internal documents and testing new legal theories.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Analysts offer competing, somewhat contradictory theories about the software selloff.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This dainty top combines the polka dot craze with the sheer obsession.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2026
  • His extreme discipline, to the point of obsession, with things like food and exercise is a frequent target, too, as is his penchant for the good life.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After an open meeting on Wednesday, Federal Communications Chair Brendan Carr said that networks should operate under the assumption that shows like The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live!
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Certainly, Hondo looks pretty reflective and concerned in one of the first look stills as events challenge his legacy and his assumptions about authority, so sense of self.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Meta and other tech firms have argued there’s no conclusive evidence linking social media to addiction or mental health problems.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Once back at the VAB, engineers will need to partially disassemble it to inspect things like filters, valves, and connection plates to find the problem.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster