possession

noun

pə-ˈze-shən How to pronounce possession (audio)
Definition of possessionnext
1
as in hands
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal a student who was found to have several overdue library books in his possession

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in belongings
possessions plural transportable items that one owns we packed up all of our possessions and excitedly moved into a new house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in occupancy
the act or fact of residing in a place squatters had established possession in the abandoned warehouse

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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 possession Saudi Arabia’s possession of at least some Akincis is also interesting. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Winston and Beckham stayed with it on the next possession, though. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 Lake Howell forces Seminole to punt for the second straight possession. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Shimon was previously convicted of first-degree promotion of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography in Phelps County, Jamoles said. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for possession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possession
  1. hands
  2. belongings
  3. occupancy
  4. enjoyment
  5. things
  6. occupation
  7. stuff
  8. habitation
Noun
  • That afternoon, the president, inside the exposition’s ornate Temple of Music, greeted members of the public, shaking hands and warmly inviting them to explore the fair.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Mendoza threw high to Jalen Nailor on his second play, and the ball popped into the air into the hands of San Francisco linebacker Tatum Bethune for an interception.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hands
Noun
  • Home insurance covers your home and belongings from unexpected events like fire, theft or natural disasters.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Welcomed by Herky the Hornet, the cheer team and the campus community, the students and their families checked in before unloading their belongings and setting up their new rooms.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of belongings
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has not yet produced records IndieWire requested concerning the theater’s recent permits, inspections, code enforcement, occupancy, and work required before reopening.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Water levels and tourism From July 2025 to July 2026, short-term rental occupancy fell by 10% in the nearby City of Page.
    — Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupancy
Noun
  • Don’t let the pressure of a specific end goal cloud your enjoyment of the ride.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But the combat happens in short spurts, allowing a fair amount of downtime for recuperation, conversation and enjoyment of the sport.
    — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • When those things do start happening, the scares are every bit as effective as the buildup promises.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, Heaika expects some things in return and isn’t happy to see Ejva fall for his cousin.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of things
Noun
  • This strategic move undermined the Nazis’ ability to use the monarchy to legitimize their occupation.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, his grandfather – King Haakon VII – and his father Olav relocated to London until the end of the German occupation.
    — James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of occupation
Noun
  • Aesha sends Kayley to deal with it, but a regular sink plunger can’t do the job — Nathan has to suction the stuff out with the wet vacuum.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That foul ball, no foul ball in the fourth inning changes stuff, too.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stuff
Noun
  • There was no sign of human habitation to be seen from our long terrace; the Daishoji River surged below.
    — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Learn About Local Cultures Route 89 passes through several areas that have a rich history of human habitation dating back millennia.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of habitation

Browse Nearby Words

possessing
possession
possessionless
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Cite this Entry

“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possession. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on possession

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about possession

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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