Possessed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /pə-ˈzest/ pos·sessed

Meaning & Definition of Possessed

Possessed (adjective)

  1. controlled or overwhelmingly influenced by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea)
  2. urgently wanting to do or have something
  3. held as a possession

Possessed (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. free from emotional or mental agitation

    "remarkably poised and possessed in the midst of all the turmoil"

    similar: calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, equal, level, limpid, peaceful, placid, recollected, sedate, self-composed, self-possessed, serene, smooth, together, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, unruffled, unshaken, untroubled, unworried, at peace
    related: even, even-keeled, steady, well-adjusted, well-balanced, imperturbable, nerveless, unflappable, unshakable, centered, disciplined, equable, self-contained, self-controlled, affable, breezy, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, laid-back, loosey-goosey, mellow, carefree, nonchalant, unconcerned, assured, confident, self-assured, aloof, detached, dispassionate, indifferent, bovine, impassive, phlegmatic, sober, stolid, relaxed, relieved, tranquilized
    opposite: agitated, discomposed, disturbed, flustered, perturbed, unglued, unhinged, unstrung, upset
    near: anxious, bothered, distressed, uneasy, unquiet, unsettled, worried, jittery, jumpy, nervous, restless, skittish, tense, high-strung, unstable, uptight

Possessed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to keep, control, or experience as one's own

    "she possesses a keen insight into people"

    similar: commanded, enjoyed, had, held, owned, retained, rejoiced in
    related: kept, reserved, withheld, bore, carried, boasted, showed off, sported
    opposite: lacked, wanted
    near: abandoned, ceded, disclaimed, disowned, handed over, relinquished, renounced, surrendered, yielded, discarded, dumped, declined, rejected, repudiated, spurned, needed, required

Related Entry: Possess (verb)

Possess is a different word from Possessed. The synonyms below are for possess, not for possessed.

  1. to keep, control, or experience as one's own

    "she possesses a keen insight into people"

    similar: command, enjoy, have, hold, own, retain, rejoice in
    related: keep, reserve, withhold, bear, carry, boast, show off, sport
    opposite: lack, want
    near: abandon, cede, disclaim, disown, hand over, relinquish, renounce, surrender, yield, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, need, require

Related Entry: Self-possessed (adjective)

Self-possessed is a different word from Possessed. The synonyms below are for self-possessed, not for possessed.

  1. free from emotional or mental agitation

    "a supremely self-possessed teacher who could handle any crisis"

    similar: calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, equal, level, limpid, peaceful, placid, possessed, recollected, sedate, self-composed, serene, smooth, together, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, unruffled, unshaken, untroubled, unworried, at peace
    related: even, even-keeled, steady, well-adjusted, well-balanced, imperturbable, nerveless, unflappable, unshakable, centered, disciplined, equable, self-contained, self-controlled, affable, breezy, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, laid-back, loosey-goosey, mellow, carefree, nonchalant, unconcerned, assured, confident, self-assured, aloof, detached, dispassionate, indifferent, bovine, impassive, phlegmatic, sober, stolid, relaxed, relieved, tranquilized
    opposite: agitated, discomposed, disturbed, flustered, perturbed, unglued, unhinged, unstrung, upset
    near: anxious, bothered, distressed, uneasy, unquiet, unsettled, worried, jittery, jumpy, nervous, restless, skittish, tense, high-strung, unstable, uptight

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Possessed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Possessed:

calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, equal, level, limpid, peaceful, placid, recollected, sedate, self-composed, self-possessed, serene, smooth, together, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, unruffled, unshaken, untroubled, unworried, at peace, commanded, enjoyed, had, held, owned, retained, rejoiced in

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Possessed

Words with the opposite meaning of Possessed:

agitated, discomposed, disturbed, flustered, perturbed, unglued, unhinged, unstrung, upset, lacked, wanted

Related Words for Possessed

even, even-keeled, steady, well-adjusted, well-balanced, imperturbable, nerveless, unflappable, unshakable, centered, disciplined, equable, self-contained, self-controlled, affable, breezy, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, laid-back, loosey-goosey, mellow, carefree, nonchalant, unconcerned, assured, confident, self-assured, aloof, detached

Near Antonyms of Possessed

anxious, bothered, distressed, uneasy, unquiet, unsettled, worried, jittery, jumpy, nervous, restless, skittish, tense, high-strung, unstable, uptight, abandoned, ceded, disclaimed, disowned, handed over, relinquished, renounced, surrendered, yielded, discarded, dumped, declined, rejected, repudiated

Word Forms of Possessed

Derived words: possessedly (adverb), possessedness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Possessed

First known use: 1534

Words & Phrases Containing Possessed

self-possessed, be possessed of, like a man/woman possessed, whatever possessed him/her/you/them, what possessed him/her/you/them

Frequently Asked Questions about Possessed

What does "Possessed" mean?

"Possessed" means controlled or overwhelmingly influenced by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea). As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: controlled or overwhelmingly influenced by something (such as an evil spirit, a passion, or an idea). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Possessed"?

Other words for "Possessed" include calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, equal, level and limpid. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Possessed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Possessed"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Possessed". Common alternatives include calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, equal, level, limpid, peaceful and placid.

What is the opposite of "Possessed"?

Antonyms of "Possessed" include agitated, discomposed, disturbed, flustered, perturbed, unglued, unhinged and unstrung. Near antonyms include anxious, bothered, distressed and uneasy.

How do you use "Possessed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Possessed" in a sentence: "remarkably poised and possessed in the midst of all the turmoil"; "she possesses a keen insight into people".

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

"Possessed" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Possessed"?

"Possessed" is pronounced /pə-ˈzest/ and divided into syllables as pos·sessed.

What is the origin of the word "Possessed"?

First known use: 1534.