Prospect is often better than possession.
Source: tatoeba (20512)
Possession
/pəˈzɛʃn̩/
Synonyms for "possession" (331 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (67)
Noun(12 words)
ownershipacquirementannexesappraise propertybe owned bybelong tobelong to someonebelongingsbusiness ownershipcare of animalscoloniescontrol
aberrationabnormalityaccessoriesacquestacquireacquisitionaffluencealienationallyaplombappointmentsapprehensionappurtenancesarchduchyarchdukedomassetsassurancebaggagebalancebedevilment
Show 35 more words
belongingsbewitcherybewitchmentbody politicbottomless pursebrain damagebrainsicknessbuffer statebulging pursecaptivationcaptive nationcapturecarechattelschieftaincychieftainrycity statecity-stateclaimclaimingclouded mindclutchcolonycommonwealcommonwealthcomplexcomposurecompulsionconfidenceconquerconstraintcontrolcountrycountycraziness
Strong matches (99)
custodydaftnessdementednessdementiaderangementdisciplinedisorientationdistractiondomaindominionduchydudsdukedomearldomeasy circumstanceseffectsembarras de richessesemperyempireenchantment
Show 68 more words
enjoymententrancementequabilityequanimityequilibriumequipmentestate and effectsfascinationfee positionfee simplefeudfiefdomfixationfixed ideafixturesfoliefortunefree cityfreeholdfurnishingsfurniturefurorgoldgoodsgrand duchygraspguardianshiphandhandsome fortunehang uphang-uphavingshereditamenthigh incomehigh tax bracketholdholdingholdingshypercathexisidee fixeillusionimpedimentaincorporeal hereditamentindependenceinsanenessinsanityirrationalityirresistible impulsekeepingkingdomlandlares and penatesleaseleaseholdlevel headlevelheadednessloss of mindloss of reasonlucrelunacyluxuriousnessmadnessmammonmandantmandatemandated territorymandateemandatory
Noun(9 words)
Adjective(1 words)
effective mode of communication
Preposition(1 words)
in possession
Related words (165)
maniamaterial wealthmayamental deficiencymental derangementmental diseasemental disordermental disturbancemental illnessmental instabilitymental sicknessmind overthrownmindsicknessmoneymoney to burnmoneybagsmonomaniamorbid drivemovablesnation
Show 110 more words
nationalityobsessionobsessive compulsionobtainoccupationoccupyoddnessopulenceopulencyownershipparaphernaliapelfpixilationpoisepolispolitypossessionspossessorshippowerpreoccupationprepossessionprescriptionpresence of mindprincipalityprincipatepropertiespropertyproprietaryproprietorshipprosperityprosperousnessprotectionprotectorateprovincepuppet governmentpuppet regimequeernessrabidnessrealmreasonlessnessreceptionrepossessrepublicrestraintrichesrichnessruling passionsatellitesecureseizeseizureself-assuranceself-commandself-confidenceself-conquestself-controlself-denialself-disciplineself-governmentself-masteryself-possessionself-restraintseneschaltysenselessnesssettlementshattered mindsick mindsicknesssix-figure incomesovereign nationspirit controlsquattingstatestrangenesssubleasesubstancesultanatesuperpowertaketakingtaking awaytaking possessiontangiblestenancytenureterritorytheftthingthingstictitletoparchiatoparchytrappingstreasuretricksunbalanceunbalanced mindunsanenessunsound mindunsoundnessunsoundness of mindupper bracketvillenagewealthwealthinesswell-regulated mindwinwitcherywitlessness
Noun(33 words)
monomaniaoccupancyoccupationoccupationsof thisorigins of civilizationowned byownership conceptownership ofowningpersonal effectsposspossessed bypossessivenesspromotion of competitionpropertyproperty adjectiveproperty of matterproprietorshiprebounds
Show 13 more words
rows of seedlingsself-commandself-controlself-possessionself-willstate of mutenesstheory of evolutiontitletrancetranceswater utility ownershipwill powerwillpower
Verb(1 words)
paint with a brush
Adjective(1 words)
worldly item
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: ownership, aberration, abnormality, accessories, acquest.
- Sentence evidence is available for possession, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "possession".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "possession"
Keep "possession" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "possession" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "possession", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "possession" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
21 entriesShowing 16 of 21 words.
More specific
10 entriesCollocations
6 entriesin possession oflegal possessionpersonal possessionsphysical possessionpossession of propertypossession rights
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
7 entriesSample sentences
22 total sentences available.
Possession is nine-tenths of the law.
Source: tatoeba (239602)
I have never had more than $500 in my possession.
Source: tatoeba (252583)
The possession of intellect is what distinguishes us from wild animals.
Source: tatoeba (277054)
Showing 4 of 22 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "possession"?
Closest matches include ownership, aberration, abnormality, accessories, acquest.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "possession"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.