possesses

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.

Teddy Thompson possesses one of those voices, a golden, vivid instrument capable of conjuring joy — though not in excess; he’s English — and caverns of heartache.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

"We determined that the scaffold itself possesses a range of activity," Brasher said.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

His solicitor told the court that Rutledge no longer possesses firearms "and nor would he want to".

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Often what happens is my Twitter feed will surface someone that possesses a unique quality.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

“No, the great pity is that although Lyra possesses the alethiometer itself, there’s no means of reading it whatsoever,” he said.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman