Synonyms

seize

American

[seez] / siz /

verb (used with object)

to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp.

to seize a weapon.

Synonyms:

grab, clutch
to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely.

to seize an idea.
to take possession of by force or at will.

to seize enemy ships.
to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold.

Panic seized the crowd.
to take possession of by legal authority; confiscate.

to seize smuggled goods.
Law. Also to put (someone) in seizin or legal possession of property (usually used in passive constructions).

She was seized of vast estates.
to capture; take into custody.

Synonyms:

apprehend, arrest

Antonyms:

release
to take advantage of promptly.

to seize an opportunity.
Nautical. to bind or fasten together with a seizing.

verb (used without object)

to grab or take hold suddenly or forcibly (usually followed by on orupon ).

to seize on a rope.
to resort to a method, plan, etc., in desperation (usually followed by on orupon ).

He must seize on a solution, however risky.
to have moving parts bind and stop moving as a result of excessive pressure, temperature, or friction (usually followed byup ).

The engine seized up from cold.
to have a seizure, as of epilepsy.

He seized for about five minutes and then lost consciousness.
(of melted chocolate) to become grainy and clumpy from overheating or from contact with a small amount of moisture (often followed byup ).

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

seize British

/ siːz /

verb

to take hold of quickly; grab

she seized her hat and ran for the bus
to grasp mentally, esp rapidly

she immediately seized his idea
to take mental possession of

alarm seized the crowd
to take possession of rapidly and forcibly

the thief seized the woman's purse
to take legal possession of; take into custody
to take by force or capture

the army seized the undefended town
to take immediate advantage of

to seize an opportunity
nautical to bind (two ropes together or a piece of gear to a rope) See also serve
(of mechanical parts) to become jammed, esp because of excessive heat
to be apprised of; conversant with
the usual US spelling of seise

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See catch.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of seize

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”; see set

Explanation

Infomercial salesmen constantly tell you to seize the opportunity to buy their product while you still can. Supplies are limited! After all, everyone will want that solar-powered puppy petter, so you'd better grab the opportunity and buy two! You can seize all kinds of things. Seize the day if you are taking advantage of the present circumstances and enjoying life to the fullest. Seize the castle, if you are a feudal lord fighting with your neighbor. Seize the inspiration if you want to tell a moving story. Seize authority if you are overthrowing a small country. Avoid, at all costs, being seized if you are under zombie attack.

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Vocabulary lists containing seize

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

seize seizes seized seizing

Sussex vehicle crime lead Ch Insp Oliver Fisher, says police resources are now being focused on "the top of that criminal network... that's where you'll seize the most assets and cause the most disruption".

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

Rather than relying primarily on massive jaws, megaraptorans had relatively narrow skulls, powerful arms, and huge curved claws that helped them seize their prey.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

Zoe nearly destroys Rushville to save herself, while John almost violates his principles to seize the ring from Hal, per the Guardians’ orders, and take out Zoe.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

Howard said Monday that he’s recommending clients use a bond “ladder” strategy to seize the opportunity by buying individual bonds, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, with a range of short to intermediate maturities.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

Now that the moment had come, Artemis was almost afraid to seize it.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

The team has hypothesized various scenarios where things could spiral out of control, including one where an AI system deceives its creators and then abruptly seizes power.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026

A chip nobody else would want secures nothing, because a lender who seizes it has nothing to sell.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

Better, Cretton seizes small moments to put his stamp on this installment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

Still, Europe has a long way to move in the right direction, if it seizes the current day, Oneglia says.

From Barron's ● Mar. 30, 2026

I’m in the dirt, again, shoulder against the tree, the shock of air so cold it seizes my bones.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

Federal agents seized her phone and passport and searched her residence as part of an investigation into allegations dating back to her childhood.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

Hillingdon Council says it issues a £1,000 fixed penalty fine to culprits, and last month it seized and crushed a vehicle that was linked to fly tipping.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Yemeni authorities seized tools, testing equipment and raw materials, including the ablative material which protects sections of the missile from the intense heat produced by a ballistic missile.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

The Kuril Islands -- called the "Northern Territories" in Japan -- have been under Russia's control since the end of World War II, when they were seized by the Soviet Union.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

When the Wright brothers made their famous first powered flight on December 17, 1903, aviation fever seized the world.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

But Iran’s main goal and boast in this war, seizing the Strait, is being reversed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

This has meant that civil servants are longer being paid and other services have been seizing up, worsening economic conditions.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

You hoped to see a group that’s learned something about seizing a moment?

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Oil prices remained above the $100 threshold on Monday — and strategists recommend seizing the opportunity to buy stocks.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

I groaned as the heavy ache in my limbs crawled into my spine, seizing my lungs in an icy grip.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023