Thesaurus results for PREDISPOSE

Q: How is the word 'predispose' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predispose are bias , dispose , and incline . While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," 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?

Q: When is it sensible to use 'bias' instead of 'predispose'?

The words bias and predispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice. // the experience biased him against foreigners

Q: When is 'dispose' a more appropriate choice than 'predispose'?

While the synonyms dispose and predispose are close in meaning, dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something. // her nature disposes her to trust others

Q: Where would 'incline' be a reasonable alternative to 'predispose'?

While in some cases nearly identical to predispose , incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions. // I incline to agree

predispose

verb

Definition of predispose next

as in to influence

formal to cause (someone) to be more likely to behave in a particular way or to be affected by a particular condition Past experiences have predisposed her to distrust people. Researchers have identified a gene that may predispose some people to the disease.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of predispose are bias, dispose, and incline. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," 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?

When is it sensible to use bias instead of predispose?

The words bias and predispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When is dispose a more appropriate choice than predispose?

While the synonyms dispose and predispose are close in meaning, dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

Where would incline be a reasonable alternative to predispose?

While in some cases nearly identical to predispose, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

Examples 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 predispose Karger believes there’s something about not just the ubiquity of the show but its sketch-comedy nature that can predispose voters against it. —

Mara Reinstein, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024 Daniel Schiff, another researcher on the project, says many deepfakes are likely designed to reinforce the opinions of people who were already predisposed to believe their messaging. —

Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 Jobs that customarily had gone to economists, who are predisposed to trust in markets, went instead to lawyers (like Deese), who are trained to focus on rules and institutions. —

Nicholas Lemann, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 Those with Down syndrome are predisposed to certain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and leukemia but are less likely to experience mass tumor cancers or certain heart diseases. —

Joanne Haner, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predispose

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predispose

Verb

Our food environments—the type and quality of food that pervades our schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods—influence our diets as much as our tastes do.

Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Joining him in the White House will be a raft of top advisors from the world of business — including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy — who are expected to influence policy thinking around nascent technologies such as AI and cryptocurrencies.

Ryan Browne, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025