predispose

American  

[pree-di-spohz] / ˌpri dɪˈspoʊz /

verb (used with object)

predisposed, predisposing

1. to give an inclination or tendency to beforehand; make susceptible.

   Genetic factors may predispose human beings to certain metabolic diseases.

   Synonyms:

   prepare, prearrange

2. to render subject, susceptible, or liable.

   The evidence predisposes him to public censure.

3. to dispose beforehand.

   Synonyms:

   incline, bias

4. Archaic. to dispose of beforehand, as in a will, legacy, or the like.

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verb (used without object)

predisposed, predisposing

1. to give or furnish a tendency or inclination.

   an underground job that predisposes to lung infection.

predispose British  

/ ˌpriːdɪˈspəʊz /

verb

1. to incline or make (someone) susceptible to something beforehand

2. law to dispose of (property, etc) beforehand; bequeath

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Other Word Forms

• predisposal noun
• unpredisposing adjective

Etymology

Origin of predispose

First recorded in 1640–50; pre- + dispose

Explanation

Predispose means to have a tendency toward something. Some people believe that just being born in Canada will predispose you to love ice hockey. Many situations or events can predispose you to have a particular reaction, opinion, or feeling. Being bitten by a dog as a child could predispose you to having a fear of dogs. Having ancestors with great athletic ability might predispose you to enjoy running. If you want to predispose your father to liking your new boyfriend, be sure to tell him about volunteering at the food bank and leave out the bits about his arrest and dropping out of school.

Example Sentences

Research by UC San Francisco’s Sharon suggests migraine headaches predispose people to BPPV, by causing crystals to dislodge from their normal location.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"The whole team undertakes a standardized warm-up that addresses a number of physical concerns that predispose our female athletes to ACLs," she said.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

Nothing in her environment would predispose her to cancer, except for being in close proximity to the fires.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2025

The effort, Gershman explained, is "baseless" because it's "too broad" and "involves speculation and irresponsible insinuation" that the judge's relationship with his daughter would predispose him to rule based on that relationship.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2024

Attitudes such as these certainly predispose one to innumeracy.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• dispose
• incline