dispose

verb

di-ˈspōz How to pronounce dispose (audio)
Definition of disposenext
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

Relevance

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 Archaeologists were brought in to study the mysterious remains, which appear to have been disposed of quickly. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025 Furthermore, the agency stated that those who are in possession of the sausage, including those who may have purchased it at the time and placed it in their freezer, to dispose of the product immediately. —Chris Barilla, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Harry arrives to clean up the mess, but disposing of a corpse quickly becomes the least of his worries as the war between Richie and Conrad escalates. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Not to be the bearers of bad news, but your garbage disposal isn’t as good at disposing of garbage as the name implies. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025 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
  • Open a bag or two of cat litter into an open plastic container and situate it in high-humidity spaces.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025
  • There are 11 private campsites situated across the property in a forest or meadow.
    — Jenna Blough, Outside Online, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of situate
Verb
  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Western Santa Cruz tortoises as critically endangered, estimating approximately 3,400 tortoises remained as of 2010.
    — Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Kathleen Kelley Reardon, an expert on organizational politics, classifies political environments from minimally to pathologically politicized.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Quality control is highly inconsistent, and customer service can be…frustrating, to put it nicely.
    — Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Plus, the act of putting a mask on in and of itself feels like peak self-care.
    — Annie Blackman, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of put
Verb
  • But the human author was a sort of conductor: prompting, arranging, intervening.
    — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Oz: On [Richard’s] birthday, Laura arranged for maybe a dozen Civil War reenactors to come galloping onto the set.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • Instead, the Trump administration only placed tariffs on foreign parts that make up vehicles imported from Canada and Mexico.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, if someone isn’t placed in a shelter by late in the evening, the facility offers overflow beds through cots, the spokesperson said.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of place
Verb
  • People search sites, also known as people finder sites, are a kind of data broker that specializes in collecting, organizing and selling access to personal information.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Incorporating a set of packing cubes can encourage you to pare down and organize your clothing based on the type of clothes or the day.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of organize
Verb
  • Two suspects were located hiding nearby, in possession of burglary tools, and admitted to burglarizing the vehicle.
    — Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Nearly all 52 rooms are located on Deadman’s Beach, just steps from the Caribbean Sea—some with private outdoor hot tubs and outdoor showers.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of locate
Verb
  • Robert King, 35, who was charged with transmitting interstate threats in federal court on Monday, was ordered to stay in detention by U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Toliver after a hearing in Dallas on Wednesday afternoon, Fox News confirmed.
    — Elizabeth Pritchett, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The shift comes after reports that the cuts were ordered by Jeremy Lewin, a close ally of Elon Musk, who now oversees USAID under Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of order

Phrases Containing dispose

Browse Nearby Words

disposals
dispose
disposed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispose. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on dispose

Nglish: Translation of dispose for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All