Synonyms

prepossess

American

[pree-puh-zes] / ˌpri pəˈzɛs /

verb (used with object)

to possess or dominate mentally beforehand, as a prejudice does.
to prejudice or bias, especially favorably.
to impress favorably beforehand or at the outset.

prepossess British

/ ˌpriːpəˈzɛs /

verb

to preoccupy or engross mentally
to influence in advance for or against a person or thing; prejudice; bias
to make a favourable impression on beforehand

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of prepossess

First recorded in 1605–15; pre- + possess

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Prepossess, prē-poz-zes′, v.t. to possess beforehand: to fill beforehand, as the mind with some opinion: to bias or prejudice.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023