seize

verb

seized; seizing

transitive verb

1
a
usually seise : to vest ownership of a freehold estate in
b
often seise : to put in possession of something
the biographer will be seized of all pertinent papers
2
a
: to take possession of : confiscate
b
: to take possession of by legal process
3
a
: to possess or take by force : capture
b
: to take prisoner : arrest
4
a
: to take hold of : clutch
b
: to possess oneself of : grasp
c
: to understand fully and distinctly : apprehend
5
a
: to attack or overwhelm physically : afflict
seized with chest pains
b
: to possess (someone's thoughts, mind, etc.) completely or overwhelmingly
seized the popular imaginationBasil Davenport
6
: to bind or fasten together with a lashing of small stuff (such as yarn, marline, or fine wire)

intransitive verb

1
: to take or lay hold suddenly or forcibly
2
a
: to cohere to a relatively moving part through excessive pressure, temperature, or friction
used especially of machine parts (such as bearings, brakes, or pistons)
b
: to fail to operate due to the seizing of a part
used of an engine
seizer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for seize

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand.

take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Examples of seize in a Sentence

The bank seized their property. The army has seized control of the city. A rebel group attempted to seize power. He suddenly seized the lead in the final lap of the race. He seized her by the arm. He tried to seize the gun from him. She was seized by kidnappers and carried off to a hidden location. He seized the chance to present his ideas to his boss. Seizing the moment, she introduced herself to the famous film director.
Recent Examples on the Web If Trump is unable to secure the cash — or unless the appeals court agrees to grant his motion to delay fronting the money until after the appeal is heard — New York Attorney General Letitia James may begin seizing some of his assets to finance his obligation to the state. Andrew Torgan, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 If Trump can’t pay up, James could begin seizing his assets. USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 Under the law, police can seize weapons from anyone involuntarily committed — as Chludinsky was — with a judge’s order, which generally lasts anywhere from several weeks to a year. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024 Braun's opponents in the governor's race seized on the news. Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Mar. 2024 But Apple's shares have fallen by 7% this year even as most of the stock market has climbed to new highs, resulting in longtime rival Microsoft seizing the mantle as the world's most valuable company. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2024 In January 2016, armed, right-wing extremists, angry about government land management practices, seized control of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, leading to a 41-day standoff with federal authorities, who shot and killed LaVoy Finicum, a spokesman for the occupiers. Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Pro-Kremlin voices immediately seized on the U.S. Embassy’s warning to paint America as trying to scare Russians. Anton Troianovski Valerie Hopkins Anton Troianovski Julian E. Barnes Julian E. Barnes Paul Sonne Valerie Hopkins Anton Troianovski Ivan Nechepurenko Alina Lobzina Constant Méheut Yonette Joseph Yonette Joseph Anton Troianovski Alina Lobzina Neil MacFarquhar Ivan Nechepurenko Ivan Nechepurenko Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 More than 60 years later, the city of Santa Monica is considering repaying the family whose property was seized. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English saisen, from Anglo-French seisir, from Medieval Latin sacire, of Germanic origin; perhaps akin to Old High German sezzen to set — more at set

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of seize was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near seize

Cite this Entry

“Seize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

seize

verb
seized; seizing
1
: to take possession of by force
the wind seized the hat off my head
2
: to take prisoner : arrest
3
a
: to take hold of suddenly or with force : clutch
b
: to understand fully and clearly : comprehend
seize an idea quickly
4
: to attack or overwhelm suddenly (as with fever)
seizer noun

Legal Definition

seize

transitive verb
seized; seizing
1
or seise : to put in possession of property or vest with the right of possession or succession
stand seized of land
2
: to take possession or custody of (property) especially by lawful authority
seize drugs as evidence
the entry of a preliminary order of forfeiture authorizes the Attorney General…to seize the specific property subject to forfeitureFederal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 32.2(b)(3)
can seize the goods subject to his security interest and…keep them in satisfaction of the debtJ. J. White and R. S. Summers
compare foreclose, repossess
3
: to detain (a person) in such circumstances as would lead a reasonable person to believe that he or she was not free to leave
determined that the defendant was seized when surrounded by police officers
seizable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on seize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!