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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Advertisement Rams Saquon Barkley continues to make history with one of the greatest seasons ever
Jan. 19, 2025
After the Eagles’ first possession, which ended with a long touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Hurts, the stadium video board featured a shot of Verse, who was loudly booed.
—
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
The 31-year-old suspect was also said to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and Narcan, which is used to treat opioid overdoses.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025
What’s changed is the Leafs are no longer a possession team (24th in the league).
—James Mirtle, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Some of the court filings submitted by the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., include evidence of guns allegedly in rioters' possession.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for possession 
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
The 31-year-old suspect was also said to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and Narcan, which is used to treat opioid overdoses.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025
What’s changed is the Leafs are no longer a possession team (24th in the league).
—James Mirtle, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Some of the court filings submitted by the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., include evidence of guns allegedly in rioters' possession.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for possession
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possession
Noun
-
The outlet, which published an owner occupancy affidavit dated March 13, 2024, reported that the document indicated Williams Brewer would occupy the Maryland residence for at least seven of the next 12 months.—
Alex Nitzberg,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
-
New shopping centers in Beijing opened in 2024 with average occupancy rates of 72% — previously such malls would not be opened if the rate was below 75% or much closer to 100%, JLL said.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Part of the internet’s enjoyment about it may be down to changing viewing habits and the evolution of community.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
-
Food affordability and accessibility was shown in the data to be a huge barrier to enjoyment and satisfaction, Dugan said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The challenge has always been to figure out how to personalize things without spending inordinate amounts of time and money mapping out every possible path a student might take.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
As a business owner, higher profit margins, all other things being equal, are more valuable.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
However, as Margulis tells Haaretz’s Ruth Schuster, the site’s first human occupation may have occurred some 6,000 years ago, during the Chalcolithic era, or the Copper Age.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 Jan. 2025
-
In the near-cashless realms of Sweden and Norway, some are calling for rethink about electronic payments because of resurgent fears about Russian invasion either through physical occupation of territory or via a cyber assault and suggesting that citizens need to keep cash at home.—
David G.W. Birch,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Your child might surprise you by actually talking about their day—or at least the weird green stuff on their plate.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
This second apron stuff makes trades too complicated.—
Zach Harper,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The building was deemed unsafe for habitation by the Charlotte Fire Department, said Jerry Green, the city’s enforcement division manager.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The study team found at least 98 visible habitations, which shared a similar shape and size to those in Tugunbulak.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
23 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near possession
Cite this Entry
“Possession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possession. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share