predispose

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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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 of predispose in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web And that then describes how a patient who hopefully is initially healthy, doesn’t have any of the changes that predispose or lead to cancer, how those cell populations then change over time to become more and more aggressive, lead to cancerous growth and eventually disseminate a disease. quantamagazine.org, 15 Oct. 2024 The suffering that predisposes someone to addiction doesn’t have to be overt. Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that predisposes a person to have several different kinds of cancer, increases a person's risk of colon and endometrial cancer. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024 Although biotin deficiency is rare, especially in people without health conditions who eat a balanced diet, there are certain situations that can predispose people to developing a deficiency. Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predispose 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predispose
Verb
  • Altering your environment will spark your imagination and influence your perception.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Since late July, Goolsby has been going nonstop, knowing that Black voters in Detroit have power to influence the outcome of the statewide election and possibly that of the entire nation.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In this capacity, the Chinese leadership can—and must—lead a collective effort to persuade Russia to secure its vulnerable warheads, drawing on its own expanding bilateral relationship with Moscow.
    William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Professor Frink enlists Bart, Lisa, and Maggie, who are immune from the burp clouds, to persuade their father to help with a cure.
    Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Loading your audio article HERCULES — Two shadowy figures here were somehow able to convince a woman to hand them a bag of cash containing $24,000 and close her eyes to join them in prayer, in another bizarre scam to hit a Bay Area resident.
    Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Many of her supporters who spoke to WIRED on Monday night agreed with Lake, convinced there was fraud afoot in the election already.
    David Gilbert, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near predispose

Cite this Entry

“Predispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predispose. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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