as in owning
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
she possesses a keen insight into people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 possessing
Dykstra, 62, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possessing narcotics and narcotic-related equipment but was not taken into custody, trooper Kody Nowicki told The Athletic.
—
Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Brown has a prior felony gun conviction in Contra Costa that bars him from possessing firearms, according to the criminal complaint.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
In the film, Emma Stone's Bella Baxter is dredged from the river after dying by suicide, then reanimated by Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe), possessing the body of a woman and the brain of a baby.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Given the intense secrecy around the raid, with top members of Congress not even informed ahead of time, any insider possessing advance knowledge would presumably be someone in the highest levels of the government or in a key operational role in the military.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
But the veritable Snoopymania possessing today’s consumers really exploded with the social media boom of the early 2010s, said Melissa Menta, senior vice president of global brand and communications for Peanuts Worldwide.
—Malia Mendez, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
With no obvious successor possessing a comparable record in public equities, some analysts say Berkshire may ultimately scale back active stock selection, particularly given the size and concentration of the portfolio.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
Vecna attaches one of the vines to Will's mouth, overriding his willpower and possessing him.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In October 2017, he was detained at LAX Airport in Los Angeles, California, for possessing small amounts of cocaine.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessing
Verb
-
Chieng appealed to the scientist in Dubner while absolutely owning the pop scientist, and that’s a gorgeous move for an interviewer.—
-
Dane, of Sanford, sold his car last year because of the high costs associated with owning a vehicle and has since relied on public transportation.—
Verb
-
From frequent favorites like Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez and George and Amal Clooney, to couples having a rare date night like Julia Roberts and Danny Moder and Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Moroney, significant others had a significant presence.—
-
Jaffery describes it as an unfortunate oversight and a prime example on the importance of having diverse voices at the table when making decisions.—
Verb
-
The signature lumber is low-maintenance and resists staining, fading, and retaining moisture — even in coastal and harsh climates.—
-
The contemporary hull is designed to maximize openness while retaining a close connection with water.—
Verb
-
He’s been spotted in the Bay Area, living his life, presumably enjoying the microclimates and the ability to put the pedal to the metal on Tasman Drive.—
-
Guests then dined at the base of the pyramids before enjoying an afterparty and dessert in another area.—
Cite this Entry
“Possessing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessing. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share