seize

[ seez ]

verb (used with object)

, seized, seiz·ing.

1. to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp:

   to seize a weapon.

   Synonyms: grab, clutch

2. to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely:

   to seize an idea.

3. to take possession of by force or at will:

   to seize enemy ships.

4. to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold:

   Panic seized the crowd.

5. to take possession of by legal authority; confiscate:

   to seize smuggled goods.

6. Also . Law. to put (someone) in seizin or legal possession of property (usually used in passive constructions):

   She was seized of vast estates.

7. to capture; take into custody.

   Synonyms: apprehend, arrest

   Antonyms: release

8. to take advantage of promptly:

   to seize an opportunity.

9. Nautical. to bind or fasten together with a seizing.

verb (used without object)

, seized, seiz·ing.

1. to grab or take hold suddenly or forcibly (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to seize on a rope.

2. to resort to a method, plan, etc., in desperation (usually followed by on or upon ):

   He must seize on a solution, however risky.

3. to have moving parts bind and stop moving as a result of excessive pressure, temperature, or friction (usually followed by up ):

   The engine seized up from cold.

4. to have a seizure, as of epilepsy:

   He seized for about five minutes and then lost consciousness.

5. (of melted chocolate) to become grainy and clumpy from overheating or from contact with a small amount of moisture (often followed by up ):

   If the butter is too cold, the frosting will seize.

seize

/ siːz /

verb

1. also intrfoll byon to take hold of quickly; grab

   she seized her hat and ran for the bus

2. sometimes foll byon or upon to grasp mentally, esp rapidly

   she immediately seized his idea

3. to take mental possession of

   alarm seized the crowd

4. to take possession of rapidly and forcibly

   the thief seized the woman's purse

5. to take legal possession of; take into custody
6. to take by force or capture

   the army seized the undefended town

7. to take immediate advantage of

   to seize an opportunity

8. nautical to bind (two ropes together or a piece of gear to a rope) See also serve
9. introften foll byup (of mechanical parts) to become jammed, esp because of excessive heat
10. passiveusually foll byof to be apprised of; conversant with
11. the usual US spelling of seise

Derived Forms

• ˈseizable, adjective

Other Words From

• seiz·a·ble adjective
• seiz·er Law. sei·zor [see, -zer, -zawr], noun
• re·seize verb (used with object) reseized reseizing
• un·seiz·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of seize¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English saisen, seisen, from Old French saisir, from Medieval Latin sacīre “to place” (in phrase sacīre ad propriētam “to take as one's own, lay claim to”), from Frankish, perhaps akin to Gothic satjan “to set, put, place”; set

Word History and Origins

Origin of seize¹

C13 saisen, from Old French saisir, from Medieval Latin sacīre to position, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic satjan to set ¹

Synonym Study

See catch.

Example Sentences

“If you learn to be kind and open in those early years, if you learn that growth mindset way of thinking, that becomes your behavior for the rest of your life. And if we can create an environment and create these various shows and these various different streams of content that just make the world 1% kinder, 5% kinder, 10% kinder ... we’re going to seize that opportunity.”

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s California-born advisor says he would deploy troops to blue states to seize undocumented immigrants, send them to camps, then expel them.

From Los Angeles Times

The long-time Russian leader praised Trump’s courage and celebrated a chance to seize victory in Ukraine under the president-elect’s watch.

From Salon

Speaking at a victory rally, Scott predicted that Republicans would seize the majority in the Senate, and that he would be selected as Senate Majority Leader.

From BBC

After that date, the group allegedly planned to seize control over areas of eastern Germany by force and establish a far-right regime.

From BBC

Related Words

• ambush
• annex
• apprehend
• arrest
• capture
• catch
• commandeer
• confiscate
• force
• grab
• hijack
• impound
• kidnap
• occupy
• overrun
• take
• take over