Synonyms of predispose

predispose

verb

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

• influence
• persuade
• convince
• dispose
• incline
• prepare
• fit
• ready
• suggest
• sway
• lay
• prepossess
• groom
• fix
• prep
• bias
• prejudice
• poison

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of predispose

In addition, patients that have gastric bypass procedures also are predisposed to vitamin deficiencies and would benefit from taking multivitamins. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Their goal was to pinpoint what biological conditions might predispose some people to the problem. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

Adrian Brody gave the longest speech in Oscar history, starting off thanking everyone who’d ever shown him respect and kindness without interrogating why his white, maleness might predispose those around him to show him deference. —Cristina Escobar, refinery29.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Third, recent decades have provided a great deal of evidence on the issue of gender differences in counterproductive or problematic work traits, including those who predispose people towards toxic, destructive, and antisocial leadership. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025