confiscate

adjective

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con·fis·cate | \ ˈkän-fə-ˌskāt

, kən-ˈfi-skət

Definition of confiscate

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : appropriated by the government : forfeited

2 : deprived of property by confiscation

confiscate

verb

con·fis·cate | \ ˈkän-fə-ˌskāt

confiscated; confiscating

Definition of confiscate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to seize as forfeited to the public treasury

2 : to seize by or as if by authority

Other Words from confiscate Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About confiscate

Other Words from confiscate

Verb

confiscation \ ˌkän-fə-ˈskā-shən

\ noun

confiscator \ ˈkän-fə-ˌskā-tər

\ noun

confiscatory \ kən-ˈfi-skə-ˌtȯr-ē

\ adjective

Examples of confiscate in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Luger worried that the authorities might confiscate the shields, calling them weapons. — New York Times, 16 June 2022 Several senators and witnesses touted red flag laws, which allow courts to confiscate firearms from those deemed a danger to themselves or others. — Katherine Swartz, USA TODAY, 16 June 2022 Among those bills are legislation that would enable law enforcement to confiscate weapons from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others, as well as an assault weapons ban and two bills that would strengthen background checks for guns. — Kyra Alessandrini, Essence, 2 June 2022 The latest commercials attacking each other dropped on Wednesday, with Miller’s campaign accusing Davis of supporting red flag laws that would allow police to confiscate guns from individuals in certain situations. — Mark Murray, NBC News, 9 June 2022 The proposal: Nineteen states have passed laws that allow the police and other citizens to seek a court order to temporarily confiscate guns from people who are deemed an immediate threat to themselves or others. — BostonGlobe.com, 4 June 2022 The proposal: Nineteen states have passed laws that allow the police and other citizens to seek a court order to temporarily confiscate guns from people who are deemed an immediate threat to themselves or others. — New York Times, 4 June 2022 Red flag measures allow police or family members to petition a court to issue extreme risk protection orders authorizing them to temporarily confiscate firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves. — Candy Woodall, USA TODAY, 3 June 2022 Red flag laws generally permit police or family members to seek a court order to temporarily confiscate firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves. — Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, 27 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confiscate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near confiscate

confiscatable

confiscate

confiserie

Statistics for confiscate

Cite this Entry

“Confiscate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confiscate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for confiscate

confiscate

verb

con·fis·cate | \ ˈkän-fə-ˌskāt

confiscated; confiscating

Kids Definition of confiscate

: to seize by or as if by public authority Police confiscated the stolen car.

confiscate

transitive verb

con·fis·cate | \ ˈkän-fə-ˌskāt

confiscated; confiscating

Legal Definition of confiscate

: to seize without compensation as forfeited to the public treasury — compare criminal forfeiture

Note: Illegal items such as narcotics or firearms, or profits from the sale of illegal items, may be confiscated by law enforcement officers. Additionally, government action that reduces the value of property to a person or entity as to make it nearly worthless has been held to constitute confiscation. Examples of such government action include the passage of zoning laws that prevent the use of land for its designated purpose and the setting of utility rates so low that the utility company cannot realize a reasonable return on its investment.

Other Words from confiscate

confiscation \ ˌkän-fə-ˈskā-shən

\ noun

confiscator \ ˈkän-fə-ˌskā-tər

\ noun

confiscatory \ kən-ˈfis-kə-ˌtōr-ē

\ adjective