to seize

Examples

• All

• After it closed in November 1868, the paintings were seized and sold at auction, again to satisfy creditors.

  Academic text (1994)

• We need to get in there and seize these documents before there's nothing left!

  Fiction book (1997)

• Every day in this country, they seize drug money.

  A Day to Die (2022)

• I asked because they want to seize a valuable piece of land.

• We let customs seize it in port.

  Contraband (2012)

• Comes then declared that he would seize some of Bull's goods as payment.

  Academic text (1990)

• The lands and property of government officials will be seized.

  Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

• They will seize our possessions.

  Gandhi (1982)

• If you do not have a functioning roof within ten days, this property will be condemned, seized by the authorities, demolished.

  The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024)

• The court decided to seize his assets until the case was resolved.

Synonyms

T

to take

vsto seize

∞ 2.8

Cause someone to die or suffer great harm

is specific legal possession by authority, especially temporary or as security

A

to arrest

vsto seize

∞ 3.4

To detain someone and take them to the police station

is about gaining control of property by authority rather than detaining people

C

to confiscate

vsto seize

154 5.5

To take something away from someone because of the law or as a punishment

is focused on temporary possession by authority, often used for security not punishment

A

to attach

vsto seize

• Formal

50 7.1

To take someone's property by legal order to pay a debt

is broader, applying to temporary possession beyond just creditor claims

I

to impound

vsto seize

38 7.2

To take and keep something by law, often cars or goods

is focused on holding property as security or collateral rather than storage

C

to commandeer

vsto seize

34 8.5

To take control of things like vehicles, buildings or meetings, often without permission for official use

is performed under legal authority for possession or security rather than forceful requisition

S

to sequester

vsto seize

• Formal

3 8.6

To take official control of property for a time by court order

is used more generally by any authority not only by court orders

D

to distrain

vsto seize

• Archaic

9.9

To legally take someone's property to get unpaid rent or debt

is used more broadly for temporary possession or security, not only to force payment

Antonyms

R

to relinquish

• Formal

69 7.2

To give up control, a right, or something you own

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 Permanent

to expropriate

• Formal

4 8.8

to confiscate

154 5.5

to repossess

• Specialized

26 5.8

to seize

• Formal

156 4.6

to impound

38 7.2

Surface Forms

Etymology