possessive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With her husband so frequently absent, child-rearing fell almost entirely to Frances, who proved a loving but possessive mother.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

The inquest has also heard that Gunner Beck received thousands of messages from another senior colleague, Bombardier Ryan Mason, whom she described as being "psychotic and possessive".

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2025

As it moved through TikTok and Instagram, the term focused solely on the plural possessive, as people jokingly addressed their intangible audiences.

From Slate • Nov. 3, 2024

And I know you’ve talked about it and you’ve shared that you understand as a writer being possessive of your work.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2024

They go wrong when they assume that a word with an apostrophe must be a possessive, like Bertie’s aunt.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner