Definitions

possess

[puh-zes] / pəˈzɛs /

VERB

have or obtain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquire carry enjoy maintain occupy own retain seize

STRONG

bear control corner dominate grab hog hold

WEAK

be blessed with be born with be endowed with corner the market get hands on get hold of have to name latch on to lock up sit on take over take possession

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fail free lack let go lose need release surrender yield

STRONG

abandon forsake

WEAK

dispossess miss not have

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One leading explanation is that these worlds possess enormous atmospheres rich in hydrogen and helium that account for a large fraction of their total mass.

From Science Daily • Jun. 27, 2026

These examples highlight the increasing level of tactical quality nations possess, irrespective of their ranking.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

AI can magnify the know-how that people already possess, Burning Glass Institute’s Sigelman said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026

We possess an immense, often terrifying amount of control over who our children become and how our partners behave.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

A dark wisp of smoke—Percy guessed it must be an eidolon—seeped into a Cyclops, made the monster hit himself in the face, then drifted off to possess another victim.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Vocabulary lists containing possess

The SAT: Language of the Test, List 6

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Christmas Carol Vocab: A Lyrical Lexicon

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The New SAT: The Language of the Test

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!