seize

verb

ˈsēz 

seized; seizing

transitive verb

1

a

usually seise

ˈsēz 

: to vest ownership of a freehold estate in

b

often seise : to put in possession of something

the biographer will be seized of all pertinent papers

2

a

: to take possession of : confiscate

b

: to take possession of by legal process

3

a

: to possess or take by force : capture

b

: to take prisoner : arrest

4

a

: to take hold of : clutch

b

: to possess oneself of : grasp

c

: to understand fully and distinctly : apprehend

5

a

: to attack or overwhelm physically : afflict

seized with chest pains

b

: to possess (someone's thoughts, mind, etc.) completely or overwhelmingly

… seized the popular imagination …

—Anna E. Altmann

6

: to bind or fasten together with a lashing of small stuff (such as yarn, marline, or fine wire)

intransitive verb

1

: to take or lay hold suddenly or forcibly

2

a

: to cohere to a relatively moving part through excessive pressure, temperature, or friction

—used especially of machine parts (such as bearings, brakes, or pistons)

b

: to fail to operate due to the seizing of a part

—used of an engine

seizer noun

Synonyms of seize

• understand
• know
• recognize
• grasp
• decipher
• see
• comprehend
• appreciate
• get
• realize
• apprehend

Choose the Right Synonym for seize

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand.

take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Examples of seize in a Sentence

The bank seized their property.

The army has seized control of the city.

A rebel group attempted to seize power.

He suddenly seized the lead in the final lap of the race.

He seized her by the arm.

He tried to seize the gun from him.

She was seized by kidnappers and carried off to a hidden location.

He seized the chance to present his ideas to his boss.

Seizing the moment, she introduced herself to the famous film director.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officers executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence on July 29, seizing the keys to his pickup truck and keys to a locked gun safe. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Panama’s government in February seized the Balboa and Cristobal ports, located on each end of the Panama Canal, after its Supreme Court that a concession held by CK Hutchison’s subsidiary to run the two ports was unconstitutional. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Right now, the Bears may suddenly have five guys competing for the same job — with the season opener closing in and no one doing enough to seize the starting role. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Troopers seized the handgun and other items before the state police Eastern District Major Crime Squad arrived to take over the investigation. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English saisen, from Anglo-French seisir, from Medieval Latin sacire, of Germanic origin; perhaps akin to Old High German sezzen to set — more at set

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing seize

• seize hold of
• seize on/upon
• seize the day
• seize the initiative
• seize up

Rhymes for seize

• bees
• bes
• breeze
• cheese
• crees
• crise
• deas
• dees
• ease
• fees
• fleas
• flees

Kids Definition

seize

verb

ˈsēz 

seized; seizing

1

: to take possession of by force

the wind seized the hat off my head

2

: to take prisoner : arrest

3

a

: to take hold of suddenly or with force : clutch

b

: to understand fully and clearly : comprehend

seize an idea quickly

4

: to attack or overwhelm suddenly (as with fever)

seizer noun

Legal Definition

seize

transitive verb

seized; seizing

1

or seise : to put in possession of property or vest with the right of possession or succession

stand seized of land

2

: to take possession or custody of (property) especially by lawful authority

seize drugs as evidence

the entry of a preliminary order of forfeiture authorizes the Attorney General…to seize the specific property subject to forfeiture

—Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 32.2(b)(3)

can seize the goods subject to his security interest and…keep them in satisfaction of the debt

—J. J. White and R. S. Summers

compare foreclose, repossess

3

: to detain (a person) in such circumstances as would lead a reasonable person to believe that he or she was not free to leave

determined that the defendant was seized when surrounded by police officers

seizable adjective