possess
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for possess, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To have or own something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
be endowed with
Antonyms
go without
lose
How to use possess
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
possess a quality
possessed by a demon
Etymology
From Latin possidere, combining potis ("able, master") and sedere ("to sit"), suggesting the idea of being firmly settled in ownership.
Full origin of possess →Frequently asked questions
What does “possess” mean?
The word “possess” means to have or own something. In plain terms, to own or have something, or (in the supernatural sense) to take total control of someone.
How do you pronounce “possess”?
“Possess” is pronounced puh-ZEHS (/pəˈzɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “possess” in a sentence?
Here is “possess” used in a sentence: “She possesses a rare talent for languages.”
What is another word for “possess”?
Words with a similar meaning to “possess” include have, hold and own.
What is the opposite of “possess”?
The opposite of “possess” — its antonyms — are go without and lose.
What part of speech is “possess”?
“Possess” is a verb.
Where does the word “possess” come from?
The word “possess” comes from Latin. From Latin possidere, combining potis ("able, master") and sedere ("to sit"), suggesting the idea of being firmly settled in ownership.
Is “possess” a common word?
“Possess” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between possess and own?
Own means something legally belongs to you, while possess means to have something in your control, whether or not you legally own it. Possess also covers qualities and abilities, as in "she possesses great patience," where own would be wrong.
How do you spell possess correctly?
Possess has two pairs of double s: p-o-s-s-e-s-s. Common misspellings include "posess" and "posses"; note that posses is actually a real word, the plural of posse.
Is possess more formal than have?
Yes. In everyday speech, "I have a car" is natural, while "I possess a car" sounds official or legal. Possess belongs mainly to formal, legal, and academic writing, and to descriptions of qualities such as "possesses remarkable skill."
