prepossession

noun

ˌprē-pə-ˈze-shən
Definition of prepossessionnext
1
as in theory
an attitude, belief, or impression formed in advance of actual experience of something the foreign tourists' prepossessions about life in the U.S. had been formed by many hours of American TV shows

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obsession
something about which one is constantly thinking or concerned tried to cure him of his prepossession with money

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prepossession
  1. theory
  2. obsession
  3. assumption
Noun
  • The most effective education models are those that blend theory with real-world practice.
    — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Testing particle physics theories, the $8 billion LHC was composed of superconducting magnets that allowed scientists to study subatomic particles including protons, electrons, quarks and photons.
    — Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of theory
Noun
  • His time under the golden arches also seeded an obsession with systems and taught him the importance of keeping operations lean and relentlessly focusing on customers.
    — Martina Castellanos, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Typically said when someone copies a trend, latches onto a friend's obsession, or just teases in a playful way.
    — Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of obsession
Noun
  • This group defies old assumptions and shows why traditional generational labels may be too blunt to guide modern marketing strategies.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The results challenge decades of assumptions about the virus.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of assumption
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.

Browse Nearby Words

prepossessing
prepossession
prepossessions
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Cite this Entry

“Prepossession.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prepossession. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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