as in materialism
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Recent Examples of possessiveness
There’s a constant intertwining of protectiveness and possessiveness with Ruben in terms of his relationship to Niall.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
One minute, Ruben can be protecting Niall and have a sort of protective quality which is sort of beautiful, but then in the same sentence, can move into a toxic possessiveness.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Guilt, jealousy or over-possessiveness might take hold of you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Carmen grows tired of Don José’s possessiveness and returns to Seville alone to reunite with her lover Escamillo, the bullfighter.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In the film, Brack’s attraction to Hedda, investment in her material future, and his familiarity with her father are all underlined, and by the end feel like a mounting pressure of desire and possessiveness directed at her.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Wright is magnetic, walking a fine line between maternal concern and suffocating possessiveness.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
There’s a certain irony in China’s possessiveness over its Labubu IP.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
The possessiveness people have around these characters is so intense.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
One minute, Ruben can be protecting Niall and have a sort of protective quality which is sort of beautiful, but then in the same sentence, can move into a toxic possessiveness.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026
Guilt, jealousy or over-possessiveness might take hold of you.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Carmen grows tired of Don José’s possessiveness and returns to Seville alone to reunite with her lover Escamillo, the bullfighter.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
In the film, Brack’s attraction to Hedda, investment in her material future, and his familiarity with her father are all underlined, and by the end feel like a mounting pressure of desire and possessiveness directed at her.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Wright is magnetic, walking a fine line between maternal concern and suffocating possessiveness.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
There’s a certain irony in China’s possessiveness over its Labubu IP.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
The possessiveness people have around these characters is so intense.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for possessiveness
Noun
-
This is a guy who could write these incredibly bigoted figures, and then also write this really searing indictment of American materialism.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The book is a Christian parable, pitting faith against 20th-century materialism.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Following too closely in its protagonist’s footsteps, The Queen of Versailles presents only two options — tough but spiritually fulfilling material deprivation or unconstrained acquisitiveness.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Across 17 tracks, Amos positions herself as both conqueror and coward, exploring how the greed and individualism of modern society has allowed tech feudalists and 21st-century robber barons to make out like kings.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
The villain is corporate greed.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The novel used all these tensions to propel a study of greed, avarice, and racial divisions between the haves and have nots, leading to McCoy getting his comeuppance.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
-
One reason for targeting Ashaal could have been run-of-the-mill avarice.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In this way, Bert and his wife Hiroko’s entire home, traditional Japanese farmhouse and the unique art that fills basements and attics exists in defiance of commercialism.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
American malls were once the mecca of commercialism.—
Neil Strebig,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
People in the comments shared in the woman’s frustration, agreeing that her mother's greediness needs to be addressed.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
When kids didn’t withdraw, it was sometimes seen as greediness.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike the specialized literary magazine and its informal cousin, the literary blog, the general-interest newspaper has a kind of noble rapacity, an encyclopedic ambition to wrap its arms around the whole of the world.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Trump’s entire doctrine is naked rapacity, from Venezuela to hijacking the Kennedy Center to hideously remaking the White House in his own gaudy image.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Simple fasting from food can be ruined — rendered not pleasing to Allah — if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Possessiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/possessiveness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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