possessed

[puh-zest]

adjective

1. spurred or moved by a strong feeling, madness, or a supernatural power (often followed by by, of, orwith ).

   The army fought as if possessed. The village believed her to be possessed of the devil.

2. self-possessed; poised.

possessed

/ pəˈzɛst /

adjective

1. (foll by of) owning or having

2. (usually postpositive) under the influence of a powerful force, such as a spirit or strong emotion

3. a less common word for self-possessed

Other Word Forms

• possessedly adverb
• possessedness noun
• nonpossessed adjective
• unpossessed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of possessed¹

First recorded in 1525–35; possess + -ed ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. possessed of, having; possessing.

   He is possessed of intelligence and ambition.

Example Sentences

Then, with big swings from a deep strength that few thought a Lincoln Riley team possessed, everything changed.

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Her comments came as she also cast doubt on statements from former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously claimed Epstein possessed thousands of graphic videos involving minors.

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"You are trying to find your identity and who you are as well as being told you are maybe possessed," Benn said.

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The fossil evidence also hints that the animal may have possessed small appendages for picking up and arranging mineral grains.

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Ammunition to cause trouble had just arrived a few months earlier from Moody’s: The rating agency now possessed, and offered for sale, all sorts of new information about subprime mortgage loans.

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Related Words

• consumed www.thesaurus.com
• enchanted 
• haunted