POSSESSED Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

possessed 1 of 2

adjective

pə-ˈzest

Definition of possessed

as in composed

free from emotional or mental agitation remarkably poised and possessed in the midst of all the turmoil

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

possessed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of possess

as in owned

to keep, control, or experience as one's own she possesses a keen insight into people

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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 possessed

Adjective

Whether it was penned by Apa or some Brit with possessed hips, the song soon took off. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026 During the interviews, officers confirmed that 27 of the 28 individuals had either received, sent, possessed or transported child pornography, according to the statement. — Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Verb

Martin and his colleagues think that LUCA already possessed such an encoding system in the form of nucleic acids much like modern DNA or RNA, as well as the molecular machinery to translate it to proteins. — Philip Ball, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 What possessed them to stoop to this weird self-infantilizing rhetoric? — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possessed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessed

Adjective

Barbie’s hair choices, too, are ever so composed and elegant.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
Replacement Ryunosuke Ito, plucked from Meiji University, had a composed debut, including laying on a try for Matsunaga, who was five for five off the tee.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of composed

Verb

Indonesian streaming platform Vidio has partnered with ReelShort, the microdrama platform owned by Crazy Maple Studio, marking ReelShort’s first entry into the Indonesian market.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Except this burger is served at a place that is locally-owned and also serves gourmet pub food with craft beers.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of owned

Adjective

Data brokers legally comb the internet for such information, build profiles using the collected information, and sell those profiles to anyone who’ll pay.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Paired with the Emme play table, this duo creates the kind of collected look that feels professionally layered.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026

Definition of collected

Adjective

Mood stabilizers influence brain receptors that release and maintain neurotransmitters, calm overactive circuits and strengthen cellular connections over time.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
As a priest, Lamb held a calm, patient and somewhat self-deprecating sense of perspective.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of calm

Verb

Slattery will play James Leavitt, a highly experienced and formidable defense lawyer retained by City Hall to counter Jason’s class-action lawsuit.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
However, the Venezuelan native still faces deportation and has retained an attorney.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of retained

Adjective

Many of the victims were young, and many were farmers who had lived in what was once considered one of the most serene and safest areas of the region, which includes metropolitan Port-au-Prince.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
There’s no unwinding in the serene nature and crisp German air of Baden-Baden, the historic town long associated with restorative living, and that seamless discretion is entirely the point.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of serene

Verb

Open for breakfast and lunch, the eatery sticks largely to the classics—think omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict, and plenty of biscuits, best enjoyed smothered in gravy, of course.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Growing up in Minnesota, my family and I enjoyed the usual holiday traditions at Christmas time.

— Nicole Russell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of enjoyed

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Style

“Possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessed. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of possessed

adjective

verb

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