seized; seizing
1
a
usually seise
: to vest ownership of a freehold estate in
b
often seise
: to put in possession of something
the biographer will be seized of all pertinent papers
2
a
: to take possession of : confiscate
b
: to take possession of by legal process
4
5
a
: to attack or overwhelm physically : afflict
seized with chest pains
b
: to possess (someone's thoughts, mind, etc.) completely or overwhelmingly
seized the popular imagination—
Basil Davenport
Basil Davenport6
: to bind or fasten together with a lashing of small stuff (such as yarn, marline, or fine wire)
1
: to take or lay hold suddenly or forcibly
2
a
: to cohere to a relatively moving part through excessive pressure, temperature, or friction
—used especially of machine parts (such as bearings, brakes, or pistons)
b
: to fail to operate due to the seizing of a part
—used of an engine
seizer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of seize in a Sentence
The bank seized their property.
The army has seized control of the city.
A rebel group attempted to seize power.
He suddenly seized the lead in the final lap of the race.
He seized her by the arm.
He tried to seize the gun from him.
She was seized by kidnappers and carried off to a hidden location.
He seized the chance to present his ideas to his boss.
Seizing the moment, she introduced herself to the famous film director.
Recent Examples on the Web
Those items were seized by Las Vegas authorities after Simpson was arrested.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Editor’s picks — Tracing the AKs seized in Sonora and Baja California was the task of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
—Ieva Jusionyte, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2024
Just weeks earlier, Putin had attempted to seize Ukraine’s capital, oust its government, and impose a puppet regime.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Kosovo had lost its autonomy in the late 1980s, when Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic seized control.
—Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024
Agents seized 27,940 packs of untaxed contraband cigarettes valued at more than $243,000 along with $4,142 in cash, Arkansas Tobacco Control said Monday.
—Danny Shameer, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Congress is looking at authorizing the Biden administration to seize Russian state assets, potentially for use in a negotiation or to rebuild Ukraine.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
Resistance forces seeking to oust Myanmar’s military regime captured a key trade town on the Thai border this week, one of their most significant gains since the junta seized power in a coup more than three years ago.
—Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Police also seized several electronic devices from the premises; however, the contents of these devices remain unconfirmed, Fox 26 reports.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Editor’s picks — Tracing the AKs seized in Sonora and Baja California was the task of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
—Ieva Jusionyte, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2024
Just weeks earlier, Putin had attempted to seize Ukraine’s capital, oust its government, and impose a puppet regime.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Kosovo had lost its autonomy in the late 1980s, when Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic seized control.
—Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024
Agents seized 27,940 packs of untaxed contraband cigarettes valued at more than $243,000 along with $4,142 in cash, Arkansas Tobacco Control said Monday.
—Danny Shameer, arkansasonline.com, 15 Apr. 2024
Congress is looking at authorizing the Biden administration to seize Russian state assets, potentially for use in a negotiation or to rebuild Ukraine.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024
Resistance forces seeking to oust Myanmar’s military regime captured a key trade town on the Thai border this week, one of their most significant gains since the junta seized power in a coup more than three years ago.
—Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Police also seized several electronic devices from the premises; however, the contents of these devices remain unconfirmed, Fox 26 reports.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to seize
Dictionary Entries Near seize
Cite this Entry
“Seize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seize
verb
seized; seizing
1
: to take possession of by force
the wind seized the hat off my head
2
: to take prisoner : arrest
3
a
: to take hold of suddenly or with force : clutch
b
: to understand fully and clearly : comprehend
seize an idea quickly
4
: to attack or overwhelm suddenly (as with fever)
seizer
noun
Legal Definition
seize
transitive verb
seized; seizing
1
or seise
: to put in possession of property or vest with the right of possession or succession
stand seized of land
2
: to take possession or custody of (property) especially by lawful authority
seize drugs as evidence
the entry of a preliminary order of forfeiture authorizes the Attorney General…to seize the specific property subject to forfeiture—Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 32.2(b)(3)
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 32.2(b)(3)can seize the goods subject to his security interest and…keep them in satisfaction of the debt—J. J. White and R. S. Summers
compare foreclose, repossess
J. J. White and R. S. Summers3
: to detain (a person) in such circumstances as would lead a reasonable person to believe that he or she was not free to leave
determined that the defendant was seized when surrounded by police officers
seizable
adjective
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