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

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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

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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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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 Whether the calls are straight runs or short passes acting as runs, the clock needed to keep running on the Eagles’ final possession. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Cincinnati had 59% possession and outshot the Revolution 23-10, 10-5 on target. — CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Blaming Ultron for Fiona’s death, Vision deletes his art and possessions. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 The 22-year-old also was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm, drug possession and a probation violation, sheriff’s officials said. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 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
  • But the power this concentrates in the hands of one corporation and person – SpaceX and Musk – has raised alarm bells.
    — Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese and blue cheese in a bowl with gloved hands or in a food processor until blended.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hands
Noun
  • Of all the belongings Goyal has collected, Indian and otherwise, a suite of textile paintings from his grandfather offer the most poignant narrative.
    — Sarah Medford, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Finding unexploded military ordnance in stockpiles of vintage belongings isn't unprecedented.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of belongings
Noun
  • While some of the engineering can be precisely calculated — air, water, waste, power, occupancy and storage, for example — other questions around bunker design are murkier.
    — Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Downtown office towers have traded at a deep discount in recent years after occupancy plummeted in the wake of the COVID pandemic.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of occupancy
Noun
  • Complicating matters, one person’s cringe is another’s enjoyment.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Separate research from Prudential Financial recently found that more than six in 10 retirees with at least $500,000 in investable assets do not feel comfortable spending money for enjoyment.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Which brings us back to the list of things that lasted longer than Zacharia’s term as White House Press Secretary.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The wide-leg pants keep things relaxed, and the ruched waist on the knit top adds shape and makes the whole look feel more polished than a standard sweatshirt set.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of things
Noun
  • Far from the safety of the Archives where Scribes record the history of Navarre and keep records, Violet walks the parapet to bond with a dragon and undertake the very dangerous and highly fatal occupation.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Sectarian violence made religious mobilization increasingly unattractive, while foreign occupation provoked an awareness of Iraqi nationhood.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of occupation
Noun
  • Even the stuff from the best Japanese markets (and a few chain sushi restaurants) will supply that familiar whiff to varying degrees.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Kate and Hal are mostly enjoying an interlude that Hal thinks is purely romantic, with a bit of work stuff sprinkled on top, and which Kate has designed as more of a half-and-half experience.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of stuff
Noun
  • Italy’s commitment to build a habitation module and Japan’s contribution of a pressurized rover offer something new to NASA, which didn’t have contracts with US companies to do that work.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Many Gazans have remained in homes now unsafe for habitation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of habitation

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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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on possession

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about possession

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