dispose

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of dispose are bias, incline, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When might bias be a better fit than dispose?

The synonyms bias and dispose are sometimes interchangeable, but bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When can incline be used instead of dispose?

The words incline and dispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

Where would predispose be a reasonable alternative to dispose?

Although the words predispose and dispose have much in common, 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?

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 dispose Many predators, including penguins, have evolved ways to dispose of mercury. Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025 The collaboration provides children overseas with playgrounds, reuses equipment that would otherwise be disposed of and saves the county the cost of disposal, Clarkowksi said. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025 That office must keep tissue from autopsies for seven years before disposing of it. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025 Jury deliberations got underway Tuesday afternoon in the case of a Pompano Beach man accused of shooting his girlfriend in the face and trying to dispose of her body by dumping her car into a canal. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispose
Verb
  • And there’s a glorious selection of rental homes and condos situated on both the ocean and the harbor.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Mansions from Melville’s era and even older homes still stand in New Bedford, Mass., roughly 50 miles south of Boston and situated along the Acushnet River on the state’s southern shore.
    Josh Ocampo, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Previous assessments already painted a grim picture, with a third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras classified as threatened with extinction.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • The United States classified Hezbollah as a terror organization after the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • However, after becoming the first man to stop Zhang, the boxing world has no choice but to put some respect on the 32-year-old German’s name.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The Emmy-winning show puts an unlikely mix of reality TV stars competing to solve a murder mystery game in exchange for $250,000.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Frame a few new photos and arrange them with meaningful keepsakes on your shelves.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025
  • This cosmic phenomenon inspired the couple to include astrological motifs throughout their wedding plans, from personalized Zodiac plates for every guest to arranging the tables to represent the sun with surrounding planets in orbit.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Thomas-Sampson was placed on administrative leave following her arrest, Johnson said.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
  • This places lion’s mane within the Hericiaceae family, a group of fungi where species often resemble one another, making identification difficult for foragers.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Each set includes a small wide cube, as well as a medium wide, medium slim, and large wide cube to keep your socks and pajamas organized and separated from bulkier items like sweaters.
    Mike Arnot, AFAR Media, 20 Feb. 2025
  • But that would also assume that the institutions organize under some umbrella akin to MLB or the NFL, because now there is really no single entity on the institution side with which to bargain.
    Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • It was originally set to take place at Printed Matter, but, due to overwhelming interest, the event will now be held at the venue Baby’s All Right, located at 146 Broadway in Brooklyn.
    Pitchfork, Pitchfork, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Four weeks after their treatment, their vision was evaluated using a range of tests, including following a pen light, moving crayons between cups, locating white objects on a dark background, and navigating a corridor.
    Michael Irving, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the courtroom, Judge Gregory Carro ordered that Mangione remain cuffed during the hearing, citing security reasons.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Trump previously ordered the US to declare cartels terrorist groups in a January 20 executive order, but until US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s official announcement on Thursday, none of the cartels had been specifically named.
    Max Saltman, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispose. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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