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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. theory
  2. obsession
  3. assumption
Noun
  • Even if someone attempted to build one of the machines depicted in these blueprints, however, researchers point out that undecidability is a feature of physical theories and cannot literally exist in real experiments.
    — Charlie Wood, Wired News, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Within just a few years, Einstein would publish his theory of relativity and launch an entirely new era of physics.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of theory
Noun
  • In terms of design, the waterfall look of the nightstands fits into today’s obsession with midcentury modern, and the curved effect makes the room feel that much more soft and relaxed.
    — Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
  • There's a flip side to this national obsession, however.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of obsession
Noun
  • Intricate supply chains and trillions of dollars in investments—made over years based on assumptions of a world where trade barriers were being reduced or would remain constant—are now being upended.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The assumption is the Wolves won’t be able to do that in each of their final five games, even with one of the league’s most favorable remaining schedules.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

prepossessing
prepossession
prepossessions
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Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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