prepossession

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prepossession contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prepossession are bias, predilection, and prejudice. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

When can bias be used instead of prepossession?

The meanings of bias and prepossession largely overlap; however, bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

Where would predilection be a reasonable alternative to prepossession?

Although the words predilection and prepossession have much in common, predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

In what contexts can prejudice take the place of prepossession?

In some situations, the words prejudice and prepossession are roughly equivalent. However, prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prepossession
Noun
  • The theory proposes that each generation should be considered a separate social group formed by specific historical events and social and cultural environments.
    Boris Abaev, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The theory was popularized by manifestos left by perpetrators in a number of high-profile neo-Nazi and white supremacist terrorist incidents, including the killing of 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019.
    Patrick Smith, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Opponent Kamala Harris' campaign—which has repeatedly mocked Trump's obsession with crowd size during the 2024 election cycle—shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of the partially empty 7,200-seat venue.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Interest expense for the quarter was $0, down from $8.1 million in the previous year, due to the assumption of outstanding debt by the Acquirer in connection with the Merger.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Many assumptions about the negative impacts of low fertility on the economy are likewise either overstated or unsupported by evidence.
    Vegard Skirbekk, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near prepossession

Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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