predispose

as in to influence
formal to cause (someone) to be more likely to behave in a particular way or to be affected by a particular condition Past experiences have predisposed her to distrust people. Researchers have identified a gene that may predispose some people to the disease.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word predispose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predispose are bias, dispose, and incline. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

When is it sensible to use bias instead of predispose?

The words bias and predispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When is dispose a more appropriate choice than predispose?

While the synonyms dispose and predispose are close in meaning, dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

Where would incline be a reasonable alternative to predispose?

While in some cases nearly identical to predispose, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

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 predispose Find out not only your fur baby’s exact breed, but learn more about their ancestry, habits and traits they’re predisposed to, and health markers (the dog DNA test offers over 280 genetic health markers). Maya Gandara, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2024 But as my colleague, Mr. Keeler, so astutely pointed out, most of the Bears’ production came against offenses that aren’t predisposed to the forward pass. Sarah Kelly, The Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2024 Photo: Daniel McFadden/AMAZON MGM STUDIOS I’m predisposed to enjoy any film that starts with Dolly de Leon cattle-gunning Seann William Scott in the forehead, but the new Amazon Prime movie Jackpot! fails to live up to its promising opening minutes. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2024 While any dog can smile, some breeds are genetically predisposed to do it more than others, according to veterinary behavior specialist Dr. Lore Haug. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predispose 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predispose
Verb
  • Money gives women a seat at the table and the power to influence policies and change.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
  • London’s Swinging Sixties movement was rapidly influencing fashion and youth culture, eventually coursing through the rest of Europe and the U.S.
    Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Four vulnerabilities in WebKit were fixed in iOS 18.2, allowing memory corruption if you were persuaded to interact with malicious web content.
    Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • For Democrats who agree with Raskin, no amount of calls for returning to normalcy will persuade them to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But the legal precedent relevant to the merger defines their competitors as other supermarkets as well as supercenter operators like Walmart – and neither judge was convinced to alter that methodology.
    Alexander Coolidge, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Eventually, Goodwin convinced Rockefeller of the same, and in 1926, the Standard Oil heir began writing checks to underwrite the town’s expansive restoration.
    Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near predispose

Cite this Entry

“Predispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predispose. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on predispose

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