seize
Americanverb (used with object)
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seizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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seized,
past participle, past
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seizing
present participle
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to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp.
to seize a weapon.
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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.
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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
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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
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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:
After ousting the government from Sanaa in 2015, the Houthis attempted to also seize control of Taiz but were driven out of most of the city by local militiamen.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
On Saturday the Democratic governor signed a bill making it a felony to seize or order the seizure of ballots, election records or voting machines.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan disclosed Binance’s role late Monday in a forfeiture complaint to seize $61 million of cryptocurrency related to Iran oil proceeds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
But Champagne is convinced that those problems are now in the past and officials in his government "understand now that speed and skill are what's needed to seize this golden opportunity."
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
I feel it under my shirt again, and my insides seize against the memory.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
The professor seizes on one essential truth: Our main product, talent, isn’t like other products that people sell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
The no-nonsense Babs pays for every ounce of freedom she seizes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
His first test is whether he can seize the initiative — before the bond market seizes it for him.
From MarketWatch ● May 22, 2026
Woods advised he has a limp and his ankle seizes while walking.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2026
We get out, and Zeke seizes his mother’s hand to steady her as she shuffles through the snow.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
But federal forces and pro-government militias have pushed them back and are heading north towards the capital, Mekelle, having seized the city's airport on Friday.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
The $160 seized in the sting was given to the task force as part of his plea.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in which hijackers seized control of jets and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon reshaped the rules around international air travel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
As part of the team working on the case, Chowles took part in the analysis and extraction of cryptocurrency from digital devices seized during the investigation.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
The man seized hold of Mal, hard around the torso, and turned to stride up the garden.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
But Iran’s main goal and boast in this war, seizing the Strait, is being reversed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
But Trinity responded brilliantly to falling behind early on and took full advantage of Adam Keighran's second-half yellow card, seizing control of the contest and winning it with 33 unanswered points.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 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
Smoke began to crawl along the floor, rolling, heaving, seizing everything in its path.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
