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.

Related 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

However, patients are genetically predisposed to these inflammatory diseases and that’s an active area of research. —Chloe Castleberry, Flow Space, 4 Aug. 2025

Too many people are predisposed to disliking the work of Lena Dunham. —Ashley Baker, Air Mail, 19 July 2025

Ng’s review also found that 15% to 30% of people with early-onset gastrointestinal cancer carry hereditary genetic mutations that may have predisposed them to getting cancer at a young age. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 17 July 2025

Kids will ask plenty of nonsensical questions that chatbots are predisposed to confidently answer. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025