prepossession

noun

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən
Definition of prepossessionnext
1
as in theory
an attitude, belief, or impression formed in advance of actual experience of something the foreign tourists' prepossessions about life in the U.S. had been formed by many hours of American TV shows

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obsession
something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned tried to cure him of his prepossession with money

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
  1. theory
  2. obsession
  3. assumption
Noun
  • Zoom in: Here are 10 theories, based on conversations with dozens of top Democrats, on what went wrong and what needs to change.
    — Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
  • No theory about what Facebook should be in the world.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of theory
Noun
  • What began as a neighborhood favorite quickly turned into a national obsession.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Yet these devices can lead to an unhealthy obsession with achieving perfect slumber, says Dr. David Benavides, a sleep medicine specialist at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham.
    — Angela Haupt, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of obsession
Noun
  • That insight often comes from someone testing a previously unchallenged assumption.
    — Mark Nevins, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Showdown at Little Rock Similar assumptions guided events even in places where desegregation appeared to be working.
    — Essence, Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of assumption
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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prepossessing
prepossession
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Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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