prepossession

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən
Definition of prepossessionnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prepossession contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prepossession are bias, predilection, and prejudice. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

When can bias be used instead of prepossession?

The meanings of bias and prepossession largely overlap; however, bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

Where would predilection be a reasonable alternative to prepossession?

Although the words predilection and prepossession have much in common, predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

In what contexts can prejudice take the place of prepossession?

In some situations, the words prejudice and prepossession are roughly equivalent. However, prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prepossession
Noun
  • Germ theory also emerged in the late 1800s, in which scientists discovered that germs caused disease.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The two budding geniuses would sit in Charles’ apartment for hours, talking music theory and analyzing records, though Jones’s curiosity occasionally exhausted Charles.
    Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Taylor Swift's empire tops $2 billion as wedding frenzy fuels global obsession.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Splatoon Raiders has the potential to expand this phenomenon to a new audience and give existing fans a new obsession.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Here is a brief overview and judgement calls of several garden insects that challenge our assumptions about who belongs in which column.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
  • As with any heat metric, calculating the heat index involves making some assumptions about the person and the conditions around them.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Teams that are not ready solve yesterday's problems and call it strategy.
    Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The pool did not open Saturday with the city's other outdoor pools after mechanical problems delayed the start of the season for the second consecutive year.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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