prepossession

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən

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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prepossession
Noun
  • The theory dates to An Emerging Democratic Majority, an influential 2002 book by political scientists John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira.
    Jane Hong / Made by History, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
  • All three men were national and international icons whose assassinations — and the theories swirling around them — became the stuff of books, movies, controversy, and the pages of history itself.
    Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And that became my obsession during the writing of the script.
    Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The teaser shows Joe (Penn Badgley) returning to New York City, walking through Mooney's Bookstore and reminiscing about his first obsession, Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail).
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Somehow, the assumptions of this defense attorney have been treated with credence over the word of a veteran assistant state’s attorney dedicated to public service.
    Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Use data to challenge assumptions, validate decisions and guide strategy.
    Mark Kane, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near prepossession

Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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