possessed

adjective

pos·​sessed pə-ˈzest 

 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

: self-possessed, calm

possessedly

pə-ˈze-səd-lē 

-ˈzest-lē

 also  -ˈse-səd-

 or  -ˈsest-

adverb

possessedness

pə-ˈze-səd-nəs 

-ˈzest-nəs

 also  -ˈse-səd-

 or  -ˈsest-

noun

Synonyms

• calm
• collected
• composed
• cool
• coolheaded
• equal
• level
• limpid
• peaceful
• placid
• recollected
• sedate
• self-composed
• self-possessed
• serene
• smooth
• together
• tranquil
• undisturbed
• unperturbed
• unruffled
• unshaken
• untroubled
• unworried

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

Relentlessly silly instead of scary, the horror comedy is worth a watch just for goofy Brian Cox playing a possessed dad. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Based on the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name, the story centers on a possessed young girl named Regan (Blair) and the two Catholic priests who perform an exorcism to rid Regan of the demon that has taken over her body. —Diana Pearl, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025

In a possessed rush, Tyler storms up the stairwell, down the corridor and enters the bedroom to tackle Ryan, who has already killed one of Chloe’s friends and staged it as an overdose. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing possessed

• be possessed of
• like a man/woman possessed
• self-possessed
• whatever possessed him/her/you/them
• what possessed him/her/you/them

Rhymes for possessed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed