1
as in knowing
to have a clear idea of
a critic with a sharp intellect that is able to seize the most subtle nuances of a work of art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arresting
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
seized the leaders of one of the city's major drug rings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grabbing
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
seized the escaping balloon just before it got out of reach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in confiscating
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
Richard III seized the English throne from his brother Edward in 1483
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of seizing
Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers, who argue the bills endanger Taiwan's democratic system, entered the legislature Thursday night by removing windows and seizing the speaker's area, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.
—
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
United’s opening goal came from the Ivorian seizing an opportunity that few recognised.
—Carl Anka, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday.
—Albert Aji and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024
The rebel group has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus and has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad’s fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for seizing
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
United’s opening goal came from the Ivorian seizing an opportunity that few recognised.
—Carl Anka, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday.
—Albert Aji and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024
The rebel group has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus and has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad’s fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels.
—Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for seizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seizing
Verb
-
As Andrew Lloyd Webber’s go-to orchestrator during some of the composer’s most creative years, Cullen has translated many of the composer’s most arresting melodies into lush, full-bodied and evocative orchestral music.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
By then, Texas police were beginning to surpass federal authorities in arresting and prosecuting people for human smuggling.—
Alejandro Serrano,
Austin American-Statesman,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Edwards delivered in a big way, scoring a career-high 53 points, hitting 10 3-pointers and grabbing six rebounds.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
But those are just two headline-grabbing crimes.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Schar and Duran had stretched for a loose ball and the Newcastle centre-half had slid in to win it, with Duran first catching him on the buttock and then in the small of the back.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Lucky for Southerners, our region is home to all kinds of one-of-a-kind natural experience—from catching the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park or Congaree National Park to kayaking to see bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach, Florida.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Unfortunately, mid-rehearsal, their mother, Rose (an absolutely magnificent McDonald), comes thundering onto the stage, usurping Jocko’s leadership and sucking up all of the air into the room.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 Dec. 2024
-
For instance, one of his first actions was to fund the Al-Jazeera Arabic satellite television station, allowing Qatar to set the agenda on TV screens from Casablanca to Cairo, usurping the role once played by state information ministries.—
Allen Fromherz / Made by History,
TIME,
30 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
There is an obvious tension between celebrating the city’s birthday and recognizing the painful and violent genocide that paved way for the city’s formation.—
Joe Baker,
New York Daily News,
28 Dec. 2024
-
As a result, men are the default for everything from calculating drug doses to recognizing heart attack symptoms to designing and testing car safety features.—
Eva Epker,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
An increasingly rare new photograph of Jack Nicholson was revealed Thursday in a gallery of images capturing the actor and his family’s holiday gathering.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The group uses an audio lure to entice the birds, capturing them in mist nets to bring back to the banding station.—
Kayla Randall,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
While landfills may not emit hazardous compounds, non-biodegradable debris is occupying more and more space.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Following Assad’s fall, Israel has expanded its presence beyond the Golan Heights, occupying areas deeper inside Syria and justifying the move by citing security concerns.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In particular, health districts and hospitals are seeing more flu and pertussis, known as whooping cough.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Jan. 2025
-
The games have been about playing spoiler in the NFC playoff picture and seeing what on this 2024 roster is transferrable to the future.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seizing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share