to seize

Examples

• All

• The captivating story seized my interest from the very first sentence.

• As the music played, the song seemed to seize her imagination and transport her to another world.

• I think that my advice to young people is, is really to seize whatever opportunities they find.

• We already own the night, but my product will allow us to seize the day.

  Day Shift (2022)

• Let us seize the day!

  Waiting... (2005)

• And what I'm saying to you is you must seize the moment.

• Think and seize opportunities that are right in your backyard, just like the rich do.

• We can seize this moment to create a better more hopeful future, for our children, and our families.

  Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

• In pursuit of contemporary pedagogy, enthusiastic and growing teachers seize opportunities for growth.

  Academic text (2008)

• Even as a kid, Abby had recognized this and been poised to seize the moment before it passed.

  Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

C

to catch

vsto seize

244 2.0

To get someone's attention or interest

is like this but highlights a sudden strong takeover of attention

F

to fascinate

vsto seize

238 3.4

To attract and hold someone's strong interest or attention

is similar but usually starts with a faster strong shock to attention

H

to hold

vsto seize

201 2.2

To keep someone's attention

is similar but usually begins with a sharper sudden pull of attention

G

to grab

vsto seize

102 1.6

To get someone's attention suddenly and strongly

is sudden and strong but also stresses continued interest rather than only an instant

M

to mesmerize

vsto seize

• US

39 6.4

To hold someone's full attention as if by magic

is like this but usually arrives with a sudden sharp capture of focus

C

to capture

vsto seize

37 3.0

To attract and hold someone's interest or affection

is like this but implies a stronger and often sudden taking of attention

R

to rivet

vsto seize

33 6.1

To hold someone's full attention because something is very interesting or surprising

is similar but often begins with a sudden strong pull of interest

A

to arrest

vsto seize

30 5.1

To catch and hold someone's attention

is similar but usually more sudden and less formal in common use

C

to catch someone's attention

vsto seize

22 2.8

Make someone notice you or something

is similar but adds a sharper suddenness and stronger imaginative hold

C

to captivate

vsto seize

19 4.2

To attract and hold someone's full attention

is like that but stresses a sudden strong grabbing of imagination first

G

to grab someone's attention

vsto seize

3 3.3

Make someone notice something quickly and feel interested

is sudden and strong but also focuses on holding interest beyond the first moment

S

to spellbind

vsto seize

1 7.0

To hold people completely interested as if by magic

is similar but happens more suddenly and often with a quick strong start

C

to capture attention

vsto seize

1 3.2

To attract and keep people's interest

stresses both sudden strong grabbing and holding of imagination and interest

S

to snag one's attention

vsto seize

1 4.4

Make someone notice something

is more likely to cause a sudden strong hold rather than a brief quick notice

P

to prehend

vsto seize

• Archaic

9.9

To understand an idea or its meaning

is similar but emphasizes a quick strong hold on imagination and interest

S

to sweep off someone's feet

vsto seize

• Informal

4.5

Make someone feel very impressed and strongly attracted

is more general sudden strong attention capture rather than romantic infatuation

Antonyms

B

to bore

15 1.4

To make someone feel tired or not interested by being dull when you speak

Idioms

S

to seize the opportunity

10 3.9

Act quickly to use a good chance

Phrasal Verbs

S

to seize on

19 5.3

To quickly use an idea or chance to get an advantage

S

to seize up

8 6.5

Stop working properly because of damage or lack of oil

How Engaging

to mesmerize

• US

39 6.4

to enthrall

20 6.8

to captivate

19 4.2

to seize

68 3.8

to grab

102 1.6

to catch

244 2.0

to notice

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology