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
Attackers could seize on the pattern by identifying nonexistent packages that are repeatedly hallucinated.
—
Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
The case has become an unlikely political lightning rod as Democrats seize on Abrego Garcia’s Kafkaesque situation as a cruel consequence of Trump’s mass deportations and disregard for the courts.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Along the way, the Kintners accidentally run over a unicorn, and the Leopolds seize on an opportunity to exploit its horn for medicinal and financial gain.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for seize on/upon
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Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025
The case has become an unlikely political lightning rod as Democrats seize on Abrego Garcia’s Kafkaesque situation as a cruel consequence of Trump’s mass deportations and disregard for the courts.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Along the way, the Kintners accidentally run over a unicorn, and the Leopolds seize on an opportunity to exploit its horn for medicinal and financial gain.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
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
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 5 May. 2025.
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