seize on/upon
phrasal verb
seized on/upon; seizing on/upon; seizes on/upon
: to take or use (something, such as a chance or opportunity) in a quick and eager way
His critics have seized on the scandal to call for his resignation.
She seized on the opportunity to tell her side of the story.
Examples of seize on/upon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Backlash Over Picture of Archie and Lilibet British tabloids were, however, quick to seize on the fact Meghan had posted a photo with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet hours earlier in which their faces were not visible.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Proctor, a Massachusetts state trooper, sent a series of sultry texts about Read that were read in court, prompting jurors to shake their heads and giving Read's defense a scandal to seize on.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
So, Democrats are going to seize on that opportunity and continue to drive that point.
—NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
Democrats plan to seize on any potential disarray to rally opposition to the Medicaid cuts, according to a source familiar with Democratic leadership’s thinking, and could push hard to mobilize voters in Medicaid-heavy districts.
—Nik Popli / Washington, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seize on/upon
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Proctor, a Massachusetts state trooper, sent a series of sultry texts about Read that were read in court, prompting jurors to shake their heads and giving Read's defense a scandal to seize on.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
So, Democrats are going to seize on that opportunity and continue to drive that point.
—NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025
Democrats plan to seize on any potential disarray to rally opposition to the Medicaid cuts, according to a source familiar with Democratic leadership’s thinking, and could push hard to mobilize voters in Medicaid-heavy districts.
—Nik Popli / Washington, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seize on/upon
Cite this Entry
“Seize on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seize%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share