seize up
phrasal verb
seized up; seizing up; seizes up
: to stop working because the moving parts can no longer move
The engine/brakes suddenly seized up.
—sometimes used figurativelyHer brain seized up when she tried to answer the question.
Examples of seize up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If a strike does proceed, the flow of consumer goods, components for factories and certain vehicles would seize up, disrupting auto supply chains and other manufacturing networks in election battleground states.
—
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
Former President Trump has heaped blame on Vice President Kamala Harris for the jump in inflation, which erupted in early 2021 as global supply chains seized up, causing severe shortages of parts and labor.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Beset by an unprecedented 88 state and federal criminal charges, Trump had watched as one case seized up after a prosecutor’s indiscretion, another was dismissed by a conservative judge, and a third was postponed.
—Eric Cortellessa/butler, TIME, 19 July 2024
At times seeming to seize up and at others appearing confused, Biden rambled his way through a 90-minute session against former President Donald Trump.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 28 June 2024
But although the sales are generating significant sums, the US State Department estimates that North Korea seizes up to 90% of foreign income generated by its citizens.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 21 June 2024
Taylor does not shy away from sitting in on difficult points in Dion’s life, including one painful scene in which the singer seizes up after a busy and overstimulating afternoon.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024
The risotto had seized up, thickening on the table, while the scallops and shrimp were overcooked.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 29 May 2024
The active state seizes up and is unable to take bold action to solve problems or create new opportunities.
—Michael J. Mazarr, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
Former President Trump has heaped blame on Vice President Kamala Harris for the jump in inflation, which erupted in early 2021 as global supply chains seized up, causing severe shortages of parts and labor.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Beset by an unprecedented 88 state and federal criminal charges, Trump had watched as one case seized up after a prosecutor’s indiscretion, another was dismissed by a conservative judge, and a third was postponed.
—Eric Cortellessa/butler, TIME, 19 July 2024
At times seeming to seize up and at others appearing confused, Biden rambled his way through a 90-minute session against former President Donald Trump.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 28 June 2024
But although the sales are generating significant sums, the US State Department estimates that North Korea seizes up to 90% of foreign income generated by its citizens.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 21 June 2024
Taylor does not shy away from sitting in on difficult points in Dion’s life, including one painful scene in which the singer seizes up after a busy and overstimulating afternoon.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024
The risotto had seized up, thickening on the table, while the scallops and shrimp were overcooked.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 29 May 2024
The active state seizes up and is unable to take bold action to solve problems or create new opportunities.
—Michael J. Mazarr, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seize up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near seize up
Cite this Entry
“Seize up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seize%20up. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share