dispose

verb

di-ˈspōz 
Definition of dispose
1
as in to situate
to arrange something in a certain spot or position looking for the perfect spot to dispose the new knickknack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to classify
to put into a particular arrangement disposed the surgical instruments in the exact order in which they would be needed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dispose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of dispose are bias, incline, and predispose. While all these words mean "to influence one to have or take an attitude toward something," dispose suggests an affecting of one's mood or temper so as to incline one toward something.

her nature disposes her to trust others

When might bias be a better fit than dispose?

The synonyms bias and dispose are sometimes interchangeable, but bias suggests a settled and predictable leaning in one direction and connotes unfair prejudice.

the experience biased him against foreigners

When can incline be used instead of dispose?

The words incline and dispose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incline implies a tendency to favor one of two or more actions or conclusions.

I incline to agree

Where would predispose be a reasonable alternative to dispose?

Although the words predispose and dispose have much in common, predispose implies the operation of a disposing influence well in advance of the opportunity to manifest itself.

does fictional violence predispose them to accept real violence?

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dispose In the city of Miami, improperly disposing trash — like taking the trash from one of your homes and throwing it away in another of your property’s bins — can result in a $525 fine. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 Court documents report she was killed by her stepmother, Connie Graham, who then used one of her sons to dispose of the body, while another son burned the evidence, including a bed, clothing and flooring. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026 Most fans had taken care of their trash throughout the match, either putting it in the blue bag or already having disposed of it. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Never dispose of live charcoal on the ground. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispose
  1. situate
  2. classify
  3. put
  4. arrange
  5. place
  6. organize
  7. locate
  8. order
Verb
  • The property is situated on a lot spanning 5,400 square feet.
    — Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Penelope, too, is asked to occupy a landscape that frightens her, not only as a neurodivergent child in a neurotypical culture, but as a child now situated in an adult world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of situate
Verb
  • The blaze was quickly upgraded to a third-alarm fire, which is classified as a major emergency that requires a high level of response.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The ranking measures the most popular tracks classified as both Latin and rhythm, according to Billboard, with the melding of the styles encompassing pieces of other subgenres as well, including reggaeton and Latin hip-hop.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Hospitals and other healthcare providers have warned that the changes could put additional financial pressure on rural facilities that rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of put
Verb
  • Palestinians and Lebanese displaced by the 1967 war were joining relatives or acquaintances in Dearborn, and residents arranged food and medical services for the new arrivals.
    — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Solano also arranged for 30 Jackson patients to go to the 14-bed Dulce Hogar ALF on Northwest 26th Avenue between 2016 and the end of 2023.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • To gauge correctly, people can place a measuring tape around the abdomen, between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the hip bones, keeping the tape level and snug but not compressing the skin.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Seats were placed around the circle for visitors to witness firsthand the ancient drumming, chants, and intertribal dances carried by the wind and heard nearly two miles away, at the lakefront’s Geo-Karis State Park.
    — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of place
Verb
  • Those ideas say some people are superior to others, and the inequality that exists in the world around us reflects those innate differences, and inequality is a good thing, and a necessary thing, and the only real way to organize social life.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The president is organizing a Republican midterm convention in Dallas next month that will serve as much a two-day rally for him as a boon to party candidates nationwide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of organize
Verb
  • The single-family residence located in the 4700 block of Wheeler Drive in Fremont was sold on June 12, for $1,207,000, or $1,051 per square foot.
    — Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • One of the two nests spotted this year was found inside a patch of barley left as a habitat by a farmer, with the other nest located less than a mile away, according to the charity.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of locate
Verb
  • The site has now been sequestered and Malosso was ordered to tear down the theater, though its fate remains to be seen.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • However, they can be ordered with Transitions lenses that darken outdoors and clear up inside.
    — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of order

Phrases Containing dispose

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dispose
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Cite this Entry

“Dispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispose. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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