dispose

verb

di-ˈspōz How to pronounce dispose (audio)
Definition of disposenext
1
as in to situate
to arrange something in a certain spot or position looking for the perfect spot to dispose the new knickknack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to classify
to put into a particular arrangement disposed the surgical instruments in the exact order in which they would be needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dispose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of dispose are bias, incline, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When might bias be a better fit than dispose?

The synonyms bias and dispose are sometimes interchangeable, but bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When can incline be used instead of dispose?

The words incline and dispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

Where would predispose be a reasonable alternative to dispose?

Although the words predispose and dispose have much in common, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

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 dispose Archaeologists were brought in to study the mysterious remains, which appear to have been disposed of quickly. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 Furthermore, the agency stated that those who are in possession of the sausage, including those who may have purchased it at the time and placed it in their freezer, to dispose of the product immediately. —Chris Barilla, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Harry arrives to clean up the mess, but disposing of a corpse quickly becomes the least of his worries as the war between Richie and Conrad escalates. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Not to be the bearers of bad news, but your garbage disposal isn’t as good at disposing of garbage as the name implies. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispose
  1. situate
  2. classify
  3. put
  4. arrange
  5. place
  6. organize
  7. locate
  8. order
Verb
  • She was taken to a hospital near to the track, which is situated around 25km north of downtown Barcelona, and stayed overnight as a precaution.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • There are 11 private campsites situated across the property in a forest or meadow.
    — Jenna Blough, Outside Online, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of situate
Verb
  • The curriculum guides middle school students and teachers through building and evaluating computer vision models that can reliably classify fossil shark teeth.
    — Christine Wusylko, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Kathleen Kelley Reardon, an expert on organizational politics, classifies political environments from minimally to pathologically politicized.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Scott Taylor, lead mechanical engineer for manufacturer Lockheed Martin, put the effort in perspective in a 2023 news release.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Although the premium hospitality OVG Hospitality already provides in Las Vegas, Phoenix, London and Abu Dhabi resonated with the Lightning ownership, Granger said that a desire to put a local spin on Amalie’s food and beverage offerings helped win the bid.
    — Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of put
Verb
  • But the human author was a sort of conductor: prompting, arranging, intervening.
    — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Oz: On [Richard’s] birthday, Laura arranged for maybe a dozen Civil War reenactors to come galloping onto the set.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • Instead, the Trump administration only placed tariffs on foreign parts that make up vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, if someone isn’t placed in a shelter by late in the evening, the facility offers overflow beds through cots, the spokesperson said.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of place
Verb
  • Keter Solana 70-Gallon Storage Bench Deck Box Made from weather-resistant resin with a 70-gallon capacity, this storage bench will organize outdoor clutter while also serving as a two- or three-person seat.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • People search sites, also known as people finder sites, are a kind of data broker that specializes in collecting, organizing and selling access to personal information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of organize
Verb
  • Deputies located Podoll near the scene and detained him.
    — Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 18 Apr. 2025
  • They can be used to diagnose muscle or bone conditions, identify bone breaks or fractures, locate tumors, infection or blood clots, help guide doctors during surgeries, biopsies or radiation therapy, and find places of internal bleeding after trauma.
    — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of locate
Verb
  • The Duke and Duchess of Windsor ordered pieces that were full of personality and wit.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The shift comes after reports that the cuts were ordered by Jeremy Lewin, a close ally of Elon Musk, who now oversees USAID under Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of order

Phrases Containing dispose

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disposals
dispose
disposed
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Cite this Entry

“Dispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispose. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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