WordLens

seize

1 of 1verb
/siz/
Forms:seizes,seizing,seized,seized
1

to suddenly and forcibly take hold of something

C1transitive
  • In a panic, she reached out to seize her falling phone before it hit the ground.
  • The eagle swooped down to seize a fish from the water with its talons.
  • The goalkeeper managed to seize the ball just before the opponent could score.
  • To protect the child, the parent had to seize their arm and pull them away from danger.
Synonyms:
prehendclutch
2

to take something forcefully, typically through authority or power

transitive
  • The rebels seized control of the city's main square, barricading the streets and declaring their independence.
  • The military forces seized the enemy's ammunition depot, crippling their ability to launch further attacks.
  • The government seized the land from indigenous communities to make way for a new highway project.
  • The conquerors seized the enemy's fortress after a long and arduous siege, claiming victory in the battle.
3

to confiscate or take possession of items under legal authority

transitive
  • Following a court order, the tax authorities seized the businessman's assets to cover his outstanding tax liabilities.
  • The customs officials seized the counterfeit goods being smuggled into the country through the port.
  • The bank seized the assets of the bankrupt company to recover outstanding debts owed to its creditors.
  • The court order allowed the police to seize the suspect's computer and electronic devices for forensic analysis.
  • The authorities seized the illegal wildlife products being smuggled across the border, aiming to curb the illicit trade.
Synonyms:
impoundattachsequesterconfiscate
4

to capture one's interest or attention in a compelling or captivating manner

transitive
  • The breathtaking view from the mountaintop seized our attention.
  • The opening lines of the novel seized my imagination, drawing me into the story from the very first page.
  • The gripping plot of the thriller novel seized her imagination.
  • The haunting melody of the song seized the audience's emotions.
  • The headline-grabbing news story seized the nation's attention, dominating discussions and headlines for weeks.
Synonyms:
grab
5

(of an emotion or sensation) to impact someone intensely

transitive
  • A sudden sense of excitement seized him as he realized he had won the competition.
  • A sense of foreboding seized him as dark clouds gathered on the horizon.
  • A wave of joy seized her as she held her newborn baby for the first time.
  • Anger seized him when he discovered that his work had been plagiarized by a colleague.
  • A feeling of nostalgia seized her as she walked through the streets of her childhood neighborhood.
Synonyms:
clutchget hold of
6

to secure two or more ropes or lines by using a smaller line to tie them together

transitive
  • The sailor used a thin twine to seize the loose ends of the ropes.
  • During the maintenance of the ship's rigging, the crew had to seize several frayed lines to prevent any potential accidents.
  • As the ship faced rough seas, the crew quickly seized the lines to prevent any unnecessary slack.
  • The shipwright carefully seized the shrouds to the masthead, reinforcing the standing rigging.
  • After replacing a worn-out line, the sailor took the time to properly seize the new rope to the existing rigging.
7

to take an opportunity or chance quickly and with determination.

  • She seized the chance to work abroad.
  • He seized the moment to speak during the meeting.
  • The company seized a gap in the market to launch a new product.
  • They seized the offer before it expired.