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
-
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.
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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.
-
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:
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
Lucy said she had had no idea of her ex-husband's offending until police knocked on their door with a search warrant to seize his devices and arrested him.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the U.S. began to indict Russian oligarchs and seize yachts and other assets.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
Going forward, the most important thing for Kristersson is "to seize the moment" to improve the lives of "ordinary people".
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Up came the Orcs, yelling, with their long arms stretched out to seize him.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
The no-nonsense Babs pays for every ounce of freedom she seizes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
She seizes her small opportunities to impress in the film’s second half.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
Alphabet’s driverless car service seizes the World Cup stage to try to humanize its technology.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
His first test is whether he can seize the initiative — before the bond market seizes it for him.
From MarketWatch ● May 22, 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
Owen Ndlovu, a former presenter with the country's public broadcaster, the SABC, was seized on Tuesday while collecting his wife from a church in Katlehong, police said.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Mike Rogers, his Republican opponent, has seized upon a clip of his once campaign partner, Hasan Piker, saying in 2019 that he believed America deserved 9/11.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
In recent weeks, the Houthis have seized territory, including an island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, strengthening their ability to interfere with Saudi Red Sea oil shipments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
According to the Jewish Federation’s lawsuit, the “Adam and Eve” paintings were part of a vast collection seized from prominent Dutch Jewish art dealer Jacques Goudstikker by Hermann Göring, Hitler’s second-in-command.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
Lurching up and coughing, I seized onto the side of the wooden board to keep from toppling into the mikveh.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Oil prices remained above the $100 threshold on Monday — and strategists recommend seizing the opportunity to buy stocks.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
You hoped to see a group that’s learned something about seizing a moment?
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
“They are seizing it—there’s no other word for it,” Arria said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
He said seizing vehicles was intended to keep roads safe and deter dangerous driving.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
M. Bouc, meanwhile, seizing upon the one tangible thing his friend had mentioned, was sorting through the passports.
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
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.
