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
-
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:
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
Not only does she seize her moment, she even briefly slips into Misty’s old “Red Eye” costume: a Jackie-esque stewardess skirt suit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 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
Someone, possibly an American officer spying for the British, told Marks enough details about the operation for Marks to be able to seize Brewster, Austin Roe, and two other Patriots working with Roe.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
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
She seizes her small opportunities to impress in the film’s second half.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 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
All at once, he seizes on the sculpture and the suddenness of the action makes my breath catch.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, home to about 12,000 sea creatures, is caring this summer for an additional 500 animals seized from wildlife traffickers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
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
Barre seized power in Somalia in a bloodless coup in 1969.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
Chinese companies are now the biggest source of seized goods bound for the Houthis, according to U.N. reports and data gathered by arms experts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
Viju and Ajay seized the chance and bolted, and Neel couldn’t blame them.
From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins
"Each time it was a horror show of struggling, of moving, of seizing," Dr Zivot said.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
The shipments have taken on new importance after the Houthis began an offensive campaign, seizing territory along the Red Sea coast.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 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
“Since the children are not yet ready to make my acquaintance,” she thought, seizing her cloak, “I have no duties to speak of and, therefore, none I can be accused of shirking.”
From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood
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