prepossession

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən

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
  • My session stretched almost two hours, including a half-hour theory overview on the dunes.
    David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
  • One theory suggests Mars lost its water to space as solar wind stripped it from the atmosphere — a process supported by ratios of isotopes on the Red Planet, or distinct species of chemical elements, seen today.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Others block entire afternoons for their obsession.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • And on the high-school football team, the comedian remembers trying to pass off his pop-star obsessions as pure, red-blooded machismo.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Employees who challenge assumptions often face resistance from peers and leadership.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Eaton derives roughly 17% of its total revenues from data centers, according to the company’s 2025 growth assumptions.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 9 May 2025
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 23 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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