as in to have
to keep, control, or experience as one's own
she possesses a keen insight into people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of possess
Families preparing together in annual communion should not let their own happiness blind them to the fact that right among us are those who have no smiling faces at their table on that great day; perhaps possess no homes and few comforts.
—
Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Kevin Parker faces drug charges involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, along with allegations of being a felon in possession of a gun, unlawful dealing in firearms and possessing and transferring a machine gun, according to the U. S. Attorney’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025
He was killed by a Jasper County sheriff's deputy while possessing a firearm.
—April Rubin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Stubblefield is required to wear an ankle monitor, cannot possess firearms and is not allowed to contact his accuser.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for possess 
Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Kevin Parker faces drug charges involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, along with allegations of being a felon in possession of a gun, unlawful dealing in firearms and possessing and transferring a machine gun, according to the U. S. Attorney’s Office.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025
He was killed by a Jasper County sheriff's deputy while possessing a firearm.
—April Rubin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Stubblefield is required to wear an ankle monitor, cannot possess firearms and is not allowed to contact his accuser.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for possess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possess
Verb
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Besides the Inability Committee, the governor has authority to remove a mayor.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The company has billions in government contracts, primarily with NASA and the Pentagon.—
April Rubin,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This combined with a stretching of the heart muscle that often happens when someone with kidney disease retains too much water, can lead to heart failure.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
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Unlike Chase, Aykroyd worked hard to retain Carter’s affectations and appearance, while also adding a slyness that implied a deeper calculation.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to a 2017 land audit, white people, who comprised 8% of the population, owned about three-quarters of farms and agricultural holdings, while Black South Africans only owned 4%.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
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Before my family moved in, the home was owned, at different times, by famous architects such as Craig Ellwood and Peter Kamnitzer.—
The Editors of AD,
Architectural Digest,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For now, most Americans still enjoy unusual job security, but for those looking for work, the job hunt has been getting harder compared with the red-hot hiring days of 2021-2023.—
COMPILED BYDEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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The Broncos will now enjoy their second bye of the season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near possess
Cite this Entry
“Possess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possess. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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