possesses

verb

present tense third-person singular of possess
as in owns
to keep, control, or experience as one's own she possesses a keen insight into people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 possesses The club see him as a versatile player who fits their tactical system and possesses significant potential. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The country already possesses 85 percent of the world’s battery manufacturing capacity. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 Could the Bengals’ defense, a pain point for this club for the last couple seasons, get upgrades to match the offensive firepower Zac Taylor’s team possesses? — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The pair also meet Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) and her wealthy, deeply suspicious father-in-law William Macon (Garret Dillahunt), who possesses an unusual amount of knowledge about aliens. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Nikko Remigio likely will be the primary return man, but Smith possesses better big-play ability. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Wolf succumbs to Shura, a demonic force in the game’s mythology that possesses those who give in to bloodlust. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 The observations show the red supergiant has an atmosphere with a temperature of around 3,680 degrees Fahrenheit (2,030 degrees Celsius), but possesses at least two regions even hotter than this. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Bell, who possesses a rare combination of size, hands and physicality, could be the best wide receiver on the roster in a short amount of time. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possesses
  1. owns
  2. has
  3. retains
  4. enjoys
Verb
  • Requests for comment were sent to the Red Sox and Audacy, which owns WEEI, but were not immediately returned.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Rocket Companies, its parent company, also owns companies that provide title insurance, property valuations and more.
    — Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of owns
Verb
  • The retailer’s massive shoe collection has tons of trip-ready styles, including water-resistant mules, best-selling sneakers, and flats designed for on-the-go wear.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The Dune star has five older half siblings from her father’s previous relationship.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of has
Verb
  • That might seem like no time at all, but the corn emerges juicy, crispy, and tender and retains more of its sweetness and crunch.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The rock retains water, allowing roots to seek out moisture during the dry summer months.
    — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of retains
Verb
  • At the same time, the collaboration enjoys enormous gains on two other lists.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Opponents say the current setup is just right and that Iceland already enjoys all the benefits of European integration without the sovereignty compromises that inevitably will come from being a full member.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoys

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Cite this Entry

“Possesses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possesses. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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