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Synonyms

dispose

American  
[dih-spohz] / dɪˈspoʊz /

verb (used with object)

disposed, disposing
  1. to give a tendency or inclination to; incline.

    His temperament disposed him to argue readily with people.

  2. to put in a particular or the proper order or arrangement; adjust by arranging the parts.

  3. to put in a particular or suitable place.

    The lamp was disposed on a table nearby.

  4. to make fit or ready; prepare.

    Your words of cheer dispose me for the task.


verb (used without object)

disposed, disposing
  1. to arrange or decide matters.

    to do as God disposes.

  2. Obsolete. to make terms.

noun

  1. Archaic. disposition; habit.

  2. Obsolete. arrangement; regulation; disposal.

verb phrase

  1. dispose of

    1. to deal with conclusively; settle.

    2. to get rid of; discard.

    3. to transfer or give away, as by gift or sale.

    4. to do away with; destroy.

dispose British  
/ dɪˈspəʊz /

verb

    1. to deal with or settle

    2. to give, sell, or transfer to another

    3. to throw out or away

    4. to consume, esp hurriedly

    5. to kill

  1. to arrange or settle (matters) by placing into correct or final condition

    man proposes, God disposes

  2. (tr) to make willing or receptive

  3. (tr) to adjust or place in a certain order or position

  4. to accustom or condition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an obsolete word for disposal disposition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • disposer noun
  • disposingly adverb
  • redispose verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of dispose

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French disposer, equivalent to dis- dis- 1 + poser “to place” ( pose 1 ), on the model of Latin dispōnere

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.

And I realised at that moment that my body was not going to be disposed of, but rather transformed.

From BBC

“There would be no issue revoking that trust in full or in part and disposing of those assets in a different manner,” he says.

From MarketWatch

He bent down, picked up a straw wrapper and disposed of it in the nearest trash can, then kept walking.

From Los Angeles Times

The suit alleged meal breaks were “frequently interrupted” when Beteta would be called back by a supervisor to clean buckets or dispose of trash.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is unacceptable and illegal for a business to sell or dispose of these vehicles without abiding by the laws that protect servicemembers.”

From Los Angeles Times