seized
Americanadjective
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taken hold, possession, or control of, as by force or legal authority; confiscated, captured, or appropriated.
Police say the seized property includes knives, computer equipment, a balaclava, and military clothing.
Settlers were observed planting olive trees on illegally seized land.
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(of an opportunity) taken advantage of promptly.
Everything that Mom and I had accomplished was rooted firmly in the soil of hard work and seized opportunities.
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(of moving parts) locked or jammed, as from excessive friction (often followed byup ).
I gladly pay top dollar for lubricants and fluids, because I know it's far more expensive to have to rebuild a seized engine!
-
having ceased to function; having come to a halt (often followed byup ).
Businesses need to access credit lines to function, but now the credit market is totally seized up.
-
fully understood; mentally grasped.
People who need cognitive closure will absorb a statement early in the process of acquiring knowledge, "freeze" on that seized idea, and resist further information.
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(of melted chocolate) grainy and clumpy from overheating or from contact with a small amount of moisture.
To reverse the reaction, add more liquid, but just enough to dissolve most of the sugar and cocoa particles in the seized chocolate clumps.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of seized
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.
Prosecutor Varun Chuni said the seized oil tanker was part of a 700-strong shadow fleet used to transport oil around the world.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026
A further 21 cats were seized at a separate facility.
From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026
Meanwhile, he has again seized center stage in global politics as virtually every government and every private business in the world hangs on his every word.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
Federal officials said they seized drones and cited pilots near the SoFi Stadium for allegedly violating temporary flight restrictions during Friday’s World Cup game.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
She was nearly out the door when Lady Constance squealed and seized her by the arm.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
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.
