seize
/sˈiz/
Explore definitions, synonyms, and language insights of seize
Definitions
Verb
take hold of; grab; "The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize small mammals"
Verb
take or capture by force; "The terrorists seized the politicians"; "The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages"
Verb
take possession of by force, as after an invasion; "the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants"; "The army seized the town"; "The militia captured the castle"
Verb
take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority; "The FBI seized the drugs"; "The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment"; "The police confiscated the stolen artwork"
Verb
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one''s right or possession; "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died"
Verb
hook by a pull on the line; "strike a fish"
Verb
affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease"
Verb
capture the attention or imagination of; "This story will grab you"; "The movie seized my imagination"
Synonyms
appropriate
arrogate
assume
attach
capture
clutch
confiscate
conquer
get hold of
grab
impound
prehend
sequester
take over
usurp
More General Terms
arrogate
assume
fascinate
get hold of
hook
intrigue
overcome
overpower
overtake
overwhelm
seize
sweep over
take
take over
usurp
whelm
More Specific Terms
abduct
annex
apprehend
appropriate
arrest
capture
carry
catch
clasp
claw
clench
clinch
collar
commandeer
condemn
conquer
cop
distrain
garnish
garnishee
get
grab
grapple
grip
highjack
hijack
kidnap
nab
nail
nobble
pick up
pirate
preoccupy
rack
raid
raven
seize
snap
snatch
snatch up
take hold of
wrest