Another Word For Possessive

Meaning

The word "possessive" refers to a sense of ownership or control over something or someone. It can describe a person's feeling about their belongings or relationships, often indicating an unwillingness to share or a strong desire to hold on to what they view as theirs. In grammar, "possessive" relates to forms that indicate ownership, such as possessive nouns or pronouns (like "John's" or "hers").

Synonyms

• Ownership
• Controlling
• Territorial
• Greedy
• Jealous

Antonyms

• Generous
• Altruistic
• Sharing
• Open
• Unselfish

Etymology

The term "possessive" originates from the Latin word "possessivus," which means "having, holding, or owning." It is derived from "possidere," meaning "to possess," combined with the suffix "-ive," which makes it an adjective that describes a characteristic or tendency.

Examples of Usage

1. Her possessive nature made it difficult for her to trust her friends.
2. The possessive form of the noun is used to show ownership, like in "the cat's toy."
3. He became increasingly possessive over his partner, which caused tension in their relationship.
4. The possessive pronoun "yours" indicates something belongs to the person being spoken to.
5. In the story, the hero's possessive love for the princess ultimately led to his downfall.