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
  • But when a 14-year-old girl was found dead soon after in the same manner, this time without cocaine in her system, police began to question the theory.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024
  • This idea that collaborative learning is a propulsive force is much more than a theory based on my nerdy friends.
    Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Opening up about her first experience with negative body image, the 22-year-old musician shared in a cover story interview with Complex on Thursday, Dec. 5 that her obsession with Brandy Melville as a kid heavily impacted her self-image.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The film covers the prophesied pregnancy of Mary’s mother, Anne (Hilla Vidor), Mary’s time studying in Jerusalem and King Herod’s obsession with the foretold savior.
    Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • This potential harm stems from two untested assumptions: 1.
    Gregory Francis, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Cramer examined why each stock saw gains, attributing some of their recent successes to the assumption that President-elect Donald Trump’s new regulators will largely abandon efforts to curb big business’ power.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 11 Dec. 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 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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