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
In the latest instance, the primary roll thrusters have built up so much residue in their fuel lines that it's feared that the whole system could seize up in a few months.
—
David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
Your money can become temporarily or permanently inaccessible, payment systems can seize up, and the real economy can be brought to a halt.
—Jon Helgi Egilsson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
As staffers stream out onto the street, file boxes in hand, expense accounts disappear overnight, and the economy of the city seizes up.
—New York Times, 7 May 2025
Increasing the window means higher risk of muscles seizing up as well.
—Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
After the onset of the Depression in 1929, as international financial markets progressively seized up, bankers stopped lending to Germany and the United Kingdom.
—Liaquat Ahamed, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2011
After her teammates mobbed her in celebration, Rodman stepped away and grabbed her lower back, pretending to seize up with pain — only to stand up tall and laugh while flipping her pink hair over both shoulders.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Without a court order, the federal government can seize up to 15% of a defaulted borrower's paycheck via administrative wage garnishment.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Faithfull moved to New York after the release of 1981’s Dangerous Acquaintances, and, while still suffering from addiction, had a disastrous appearance on Saturday Night Live in which her vocal cords seized up.
—Roy Trakin, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
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.
David Szondy, New Atlas, 18 May 2025
Your money can become temporarily or permanently inaccessible, payment systems can seize up, and the real economy can be brought to a halt.
—Jon Helgi Egilsson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
As staffers stream out onto the street, file boxes in hand, expense accounts disappear overnight, and the economy of the city seizes up.
—New York Times, 7 May 2025
Increasing the window means higher risk of muscles seizing up as well.
—Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
After the onset of the Depression in 1929, as international financial markets progressively seized up, bankers stopped lending to Germany and the United Kingdom.
—Liaquat Ahamed, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2011
After her teammates mobbed her in celebration, Rodman stepped away and grabbed her lower back, pretending to seize up with pain — only to stand up tall and laugh while flipping her pink hair over both shoulders.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Without a court order, the federal government can seize up to 15% of a defaulted borrower's paycheck via administrative wage garnishment.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Faithfull moved to New York after the release of 1981’s Dangerous Acquaintances, and, while still suffering from addiction, had a disastrous appearance on Saturday Night Live in which her vocal cords seized up.
—Roy Trakin, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seize up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seize%20up. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share