possessed
puh-ZEHST
Possessed (adj) means Controlled by a spirit or demon. Example: “In the film, the possessed doll spoke in a voice that was not its own.”
adj
1
Controlled by a spirit or demon.
"In the film, the possessed doll spoke in a voice that was not its own."
"The old tale tells of a possessed man who spoke in strange tongues."
"The villagers believed the house was possessed."
2
Overwhelmed by a strong emotion, as if not in control of oneself.
"He acted like a man possessed, working through the night."
How to use possessed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnder the control of a spirit, or behaving as if driven by an overwhelming feeling.
Common pairings
like a man possessed
demon possessed
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more possessed
- Superlative
- most possessed
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In the film, the _____ doll spoke in a voice that was not its own.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for possessed
blessed
dressed
pressed
assessed
stressed
obsessed
recessed
depressed
professed
repressed
oppressed
impressed
See all rhymes for possessed →
Frequently asked questions
What does “possessed” mean?
The word “possessed” means controlled by a spirit or demon. In plain terms, under the control of a spirit, or behaving as if driven by an overwhelming feeling.
How do you pronounce “possessed”?
“Possessed” is pronounced puh-ZEHST (/pəˈzɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “possessed” in a sentence?
Here is “possessed” used in a sentence: “The villagers believed the house was possessed.”
What part of speech is “possessed”?
“Possessed” is an adjective.
Is “possessed” a common word?
“Possessed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “possessed” have?
“Possessed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: controlled by a spirit or demon.
What is the difference between possessed and obsessed?
Possessed, in its stronger sense, means controlled by a spirit or demon, or overwhelmed by emotion as if not in control of oneself, while obsessed means preoccupied with a thought or desire but still in control of one's actions. Possessed implies a loss of self-control that obsessed does not.
When is possessed used to describe emotion rather than spirits?
Possessed is used figuratively to describe someone overwhelmed by a strong emotion, such as anger or fear, as if they were not in control of themselves, for example 'possessed by rage.' This usage is common in everyday speech and does not imply anything supernatural.
Is possessed always used in a supernatural sense?
No. While possessed can describe someone controlled by a spirit or demon, it is more commonly used figuratively today to describe intense emotional states, such as being possessed by jealousy or grief.
