prepossession

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən

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
  • Hayden, a Republican who left office in January, opened the investigation in the fall of 2021 amid baseless theories that fraud somehow tainted the 2020 election results in Johnson County, which went for former President Joe Biden over President Donald Trump that year.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Witherspoon wasted no time in shooting down the theory, taking to her Instagram stories on Saturday to set the record straight.
    Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Being a theater kid, truly great technical singers are still an obsession for me, and Paula Cole is one of the greatest technical singers in history, and that’s not an overstatement.
    Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Now, watch a ballerina's entire routine: Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place!
    Sarah Han, Allure, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The real magic happens when people bring ideas to life — when teams push boundaries, challenge assumptions and pour their passion into building something extraordinary.
    Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
  • In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near prepossession

Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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