Thesaurus results for PREDISPOSE

Q: How is the word 'predispose' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predispose are bias , dispose , and incline . While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself. // does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

Q: When is it sensible to use 'bias' instead of 'predispose'?

The words bias and predispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice. // the experience biased him against foreigners

Q: When is 'dispose' a more appropriate choice than 'predispose'?

While the synonyms dispose and predispose are close in meaning, dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something. // her nature disposes her to trust others

Q: Where would 'incline' be a reasonable alternative to 'predispose'?

While in some cases nearly identical to predispose , incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions. // I incline to agree

predispose

verb

Definition of predispose next

as in to influence

formal to cause (someone) to be more likely to behave in a particular way or to be affected by a particular condition Past experiences have predisposed her to distrust people. Researchers have identified a gene that may predispose some people to the disease.

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How is the word predispose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predispose are bias, dispose, and incline. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

When is it sensible to use bias instead of predispose?

The words bias and predispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When is dispose a more appropriate choice than predispose?

While the synonyms dispose and predispose are close in meaning, dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

Where would incline be a reasonable alternative to predispose?

While in some cases nearly identical to predispose, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

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 predispose He might have been predisposed earlier. —

Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Successive setbacks have predisposed Hungarians to pessimism, even self-pity. —

Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 Potential leaks aside, the past year has given plenty of ammo to tech watchers predisposed to skepticism toward vibe coding. —

ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026 But if you are predisposed to enjoy this kind of thing, strong writing paired with excellent performances by Nelson-Joyce and Bean in particular sets This City Is Ours apart. —

Judy Berman, Time, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predispose

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predispose

Verb

The juror said the comments influenced her to find Murdaugh guilty.

— Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 14 May 2026
The hours-long proceeding focuses on whether jurors might have been wrongly influenced by Hill — and how Toal evaluated that question in 2024.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026

Definition of influence

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“Predispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predispose. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of predispose

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