seize
Americanverb (used with object)
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seizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
seized,
past participle, past
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seizing
present participle
-
to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp.
to seize a weapon.
-
to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely.
to seize an idea.
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to take possession of by force or at will.
to seize enemy ships.
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to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold.
Panic seized the crowd.
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to take possession of by legal authority; confiscate.
to seize smuggled goods.
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Law. Also to put (someone) in seizin or legal possession of property (usually used in passive constructions).
She was seized of vast estates.
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to capture; take into custody.
- Antonyms:
- release
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to take advantage of promptly.
to seize an opportunity.
-
Nautical. to bind or fasten together with a seizing.
verb (used without object)
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seizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
seized,
past participle, past
-
seizing
present participle
-
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.
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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.
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to have a seizure, as of epilepsy.
He seized for about five minutes and then lost consciousness.
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(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.
verb
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to take hold of quickly; grab
she seized her hat and ran for the bus
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to grasp mentally, esp rapidly
she immediately seized his idea
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to take mental possession of
alarm seized the crowd
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to take possession of rapidly and forcibly
the thief seized the woman's purse
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to take legal possession of; take into custody
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to take by force or capture
the army seized the undefended town
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to take immediate advantage of
to seize an opportunity
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nautical to bind (two ropes together or a piece of gear to a rope) See also serve
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(of mechanical parts) to become jammed, esp because of excessive heat
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to be apprised of; conversant with
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the usual US spelling of seise
Synonym Usage
See catch.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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seizesimple
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seizessimple
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have seizedperfect
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has seizedperfect
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am seizingprogressive
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are seizingprogressive
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is seizingprogressive
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have been seizingperfect progressive
-
has been seizingperfect progressive
Past
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seizedsimple
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had seizedperfect
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was seizingprogressive
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were seizingprogressive
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had been seizingperfect progressive
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.
Vocabulary lists containing seize
"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury
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"The People Could Fly," Vocabulary from the folk tale
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Beowulf vocabulary
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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:
Borrowers can use these two processes to get out of default and ultimately escape consequences like having the government seize their tax refunds, Social Security benefits or wages to repay a defaulted student loan.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 12, 2026
Binance said the amount of funds frozen may continue to increase as its teams work closely with law enforcement and other partners to trace and seize additional assets.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Investigators sought to seize Swalwell’s white iPhone and MacBook Pro, according to court records.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
"We trust that the Venezuelan authorities and all political actors will seize this opportunity to advance an inclusive, Venezuelan-led dialogue towards free and fair elections," EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
With the protection of federal troops, African Americans began to vote in large numbers and seize control, in some areas, of the local political apparatus.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
He framed his confrontation with Tshisekedi as a fight against authoritarianism, invoking Section 64 of the constitution, which calls on citizens to resist anyone who seizes power or exercises it in violation of constitutional provisions.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
Better, Cretton seizes small moments to put his stamp on this installment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
His first test is whether he can seize the initiative — before the bond market seizes it for him.
From MarketWatch ● May 22, 2026
Asked about his medical condition, the report said, "Woods advised he's had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg... Woods advised he has a limp and his ankle seizes while walking."
From Barron's ● Mar. 31, 2026
Dread seizes her, while at the same time she is remembering something, asking where she has heard that voice before .
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
In April 2026, the Vatican announced plans to set up a "listening channel" in Lima for the victims, and use assets seized from the lay movement to compensate them.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026
Russia has expanded its military cooperation with Madagascar since the military seized power in 2025, supplying weapons and military instructors.
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026
It had left Venezuela in 2007 after Hugo Chávez seized control of its oil assets there.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026
According to the force, the 54-year-old spent the money - which had been seized from criminals - on a car, a holiday, and tickets to events.
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
She appeared in Vught the third morning during the predawn roll call and at once something like order seized our rebellious and untidy ranks.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
A 12-year legal campaign resulted in Norway’s seizing a research ship in Svalbard, deep in the Arctic Circle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Screen adaptations are a big trend in video games at the moment, but they're not the only thing seizing the industry.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
He acknowledged that forcibly seizing Eritrea's Assab port could trigger a regional security crisis, but is unconcerned.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
Angela Gonzales-Torres, 31, is seizing on Gomez’s issues in the race to represent California’s 34th Congressional District, a Latino-majority territory spanning Koreatown, Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, Glassell Park and adjacent neighborhoods.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
The father gave an infuriated roar and grabbed the paper from his son, seizing it with such force that he fell backward into the lake, shattering the reflection of the moon.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
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