Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

take possession of

VERB
acquire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
achieve amass bring in buy collect earn gain get have pick up promote take win
STRONG
access annex attain catch cop corral gather grab land procure secure snag wangle
WEAK
get hands on get hold of latch onto lock up rack up scare up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disperse divide fail forfeit give lose miss misunderstand pass scatter spend throw away
STRONG
give up let go release
WEAK
forgo relinquish surrender yield
VERB
come by
Synonyms
WEAK
get lay hold of obtain procure secure win
Antonyms
WEAK
give lose miss
VERB
seize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambush annex apprehend arrest capture catch commandeer confiscate force grab hijack impound kidnap occupy overrun take take over
STRONG
appropriate arrogate bag bust claw clutch conquer exact gain get grasp hook incorporate lift nab nail overcome overpower overwhelm pounce secure snag snare subdue throttle trap usurp wrench
WEAK
carry off spirit away take by storm take captive
Antonyms
STRONGEST
free give let go lose offer release surrender yield
STRONG
drop forfeit give in give up liberate
VERB
steal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abduct divert embezzle keep kidnap loot pilfer plunder ransack remove strip swipe take
STRONG
appropriate blackmail burglarize cheat cozen defraud despoil heist housebreak lift misappropriate peculate pillage pinch pirate plagiarize poach purloin rifle sack shoplift snitch swindle thieve withdraw
WEAK
carry off hold for ransom hold up make off with rip off run off with spirit away stick up walk off with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give give up let go maintain receive release stay
STRONG
protect

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.

The 79-year-old, a well-known fast food fan, emerged from the heart of the White House to take possession of two bags of burgers from a DoorDash employee.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

He is confusing occupancy with ownership, and exploiting this woman’s absence to take possession of this house.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 16, 2025

It also could take a long time for Saudi Arabia to actually take possession of the jets and the process could get gummed up in Congress or derailed by other developments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

A sheriff’s deputy responded to Tuolumne Grove shortly before 6 p.m. to take possession of the body and help with the investigation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 2025

I was ashamed at my inability to take possession of them.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover