Dispose — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈspōz/ dis·pose

Meaning & Definition of Dispose

Dispose (verb)

  1. to give a tendency to, incline
  2. to put in place, set in readiness, arrange
  3. bestow

Dispose (noun)

  1. disposal
  2. disposition
  3. demeanor

Dispose (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to arrange something in a certain spot or position

    "looking for the perfect spot to dispose the new knickknack"

    similar: depose, deposit, emplace, fix, lay, place, position, put, set, set up, situate, stick
    related: move, rearrange, reorder, shift, orient, establish, locate, plant, settle, clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk, plunk down, slap, ensconce, niche, assemble, collect, carry, berth, park, affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge, array, lay out, line up, queue, rank, set down
    near: relocate, remove, take, banish, dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant

  2. to put into a particular arrangement

    "disposed the surgical instruments in the exact order in which they would be needed"

    similar: arrange, array, classify, codify, draw up, lay out, marshal, order, organize, range, systematize
    related: groom, make up, spruce (up), straighten (up), tidy (up), unscramble, align, cue, line, line up, queue, alphabetize, file, hierarchize, prioritize, sequence, emplace, place, set, display, map (out), set out
    opposite: derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Related Entry: Dispose of (phrase)

Dispose of is a different word from Dispose. The synonyms below are for dispose of, not for dispose.

  1. to get rid of as useless or unwanted

    "She took an afternoon to declutter and dispose of unwanted belongings."

    similar: cashier, cast (off), chuck, deep-six, discard, ditch, dump, eighty-six, exorcise, fling (off or away), jettison, junk, lay by, lose, pitch, reject, scrap, shed, shuck (off), slough (off), throw away, throw out, toss, unload, set aside
    related: abandon, abdicate, desert, forsake, dismiss, kick out, abolish, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extinguish, extirpate, liquidate, remove, root (out), stamp (out), wipe out
    near: adopt, embrace, take on, employ, use, utilize, hold, hold back, keep, retain

  2. to give over the legal possession or ownership of

    "The foreclosure forced them to dispose of all assets."

    similar: alien, alienate, assign, cede, convey, deed, make over, transfer
    related: bequeath, hand down, leave, pass (down), will, bestow, commend, commit, confer, contribute, deliver, donate, grant, hand over, move, pass, present, release, relinquish, surrender, transmit, turn in, turn over, vest, yield, consign, entrust, trust, lease, lend, let (chiefly British), loan, rent
    near: expropriate

  3. to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of

    "They disposed of the problem to the satisfaction of both sides."

    similar: agree (on), arrange, decide, fix, set, settle
    related: contract, pledge, promise, blueprint, calculate, chart, concert, design, draft, frame, hammer out, intrigue, lay out, maneuver, map (out), plan, program, schematize, scheme, shape, square away, work out, choose, conclude, determine, figure, opt, resolve, affirm, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, OK, sanction, warrant, close, complete, end, finalize, finish, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up, bargain, chaffer, deal, dicker, haggle, horse-trade, negotiate
    near: abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, differ (over), disagree (with), counter, debate, object, oppose, protest, resist, contest, dispute

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dispose

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dispose:

depose, deposit, emplace, fix, lay, place, position, put, set, set up, situate, stick, arrange, array, classify, codify, draw up, lay out, marshal, order, organize, range, systematize

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Dispose

Words with the opposite meaning of Dispose:

derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple, upset

Related Words for Dispose

move, rearrange, reorder, shift, orient, establish, locate, plant, settle, clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk, plunk down, slap, ensconce, niche, assemble, collect, carry, berth, park, affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge, line up

Near Antonyms of Dispose

relocate, remove, take, banish, dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant

Word Forms of Dispose

Inflections: disposed, disposing

Derived words: disposer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dispose

Middle English, from Anglo-French desposer, from Latin disponere to arrange (perfect indicative disposui), from dis- + ponere to put position

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dispose

Words & Phrases Containing Dispose

dispose of

Frequently Asked Questions about Dispose

What does "Dispose" mean?

"Dispose" means to give a tendency to, incline. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to give a tendency to, incline. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dispose"?

Other words for "Dispose" include depose, deposit, emplace, fix, lay, place, position and put. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dispose" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dispose"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dispose". Common alternatives include depose, deposit, emplace, fix, lay, place, position, put, set and set up.

What is the opposite of "Dispose"?

Antonyms of "Dispose" include derange, disarrange, disarray, disorder, mess (up), muss (up), rumple and upset. Near antonyms include relocate, remove, take and banish.

How do you use "Dispose" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dispose" in a sentence: "looking for the perfect spot to dispose the new knickknack"; "disposed the surgical instruments in the exact order in which they would be needed".

Is "Dispose" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dispose" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Dispose" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Dispose" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Dispose"?

"Dispose" is pronounced /di-ˈspōz/ and divided into syllables as dis·pose.