confiscate

²con·fis·cate

verb \ˈkän-fə-ˌskāt\

con·fis·cat·edcon·fis·cat·ing

Definition of CONFISCATE

transitive verb

1

: to seize as forfeited to the public treasury

2

: to seize by or as if by authority

— con·fis·ca·tion \ˌkän-fə-ˈskā-shən\ noun

— con·fis·ca·tor \ˈkän-fə-ˌskā-tər\ noun

— con·fis·ca·to·ry \kən-ˈfis-kə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

Examples of CONFISCATE

1. Guards confiscated knives and other weapons from the prisoners.
2. The teacher confiscated all cell phones for the duration of the field trip.

First Known Use of CONFISCATE

1552

Related to CONFISCATE

Synonyms: attach, expropriate, sequester

Related Words: garnishee; appropriate, arrogate, preempt, usurp; commandeer, seize, take over

Near Antonyms: cede, deliver, forfeit, give up, hand over, release, relinquish, render, surrender, turn over, yield

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