possessed

adjective

pos·​sessed pə-ˈzest How to pronounce possessed (audio)
 also  -ˈsest
1
a(1)
: influenced or controlled by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
(2)
: mad, crazed
b
: urgently desirous to do or have something
2
obsolete : held as a possession
3
possessedly
pə-ˈze-səd-lē How to pronounce possessed (audio)
-ˈzest-lē
 also  -ˈse-səd-
 or  -ˈsest-
adverb
possessedness
pə-ˈze-səd-nəs How to pronounce possessed (audio)
-ˈzest-nəs
 also  -ˈse-səd-
 or  -ˈsest-
noun

Examples of possessed in a Sentence

a horror movie about a possessed child remarkably poised and possessed in the midst of all the turmoil
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Mikey’s got a possessed toilet, a rotten floor, a delivery guy with a net-30 billing schedule, and insufficient staff. Marah Eakin, Vulture, 27 June 2024 The two-hour runtime and slow boil storytelling make the full unveiling of Linda Blair’s possessed, demonic Regan all the more devastating, providing a horror monster whose salvation is all too easy to root for. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024 Blair, who played the possessed main character, reportedly faced backlash for playing the role. Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024 The suspect was a parolee at large and possessed drug paraphernalia. Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for possessed 

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of possessed was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near possessed

Cite this Entry

“Possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/possessed. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

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