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
His last Fall Classic start—for the Rangers, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, in Game 3 at Chase Field two years ago—ended after three innings when his back seized up.
—
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
This technique, the researchers say, substantially reduces message traffic, decreasing the chance the network might seize up.
—Margo Anderson, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2025
Of course, on another night, Miami’s CJ Daniels doesn’t make a one-handed touchdown grab after beating Moore with a double move and Shuler seizing up.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi was already offering a reward of $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and seized up to $700 million of assets allegedly linked to him on Aug. 13, including luxury goods, bank accounts, and private jets.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
Most importantly, don't fret if your frosting seizes up or separates.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
When its network seizes up, the ripple effect touches every major US hub, from JFK and LAX to Seattle and Miami.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Private credit isn’t subject to the same regulations or oversight as banks, raising contagion risk if the market seizes up.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 16 July 2025
For example, the government can garnish up to 15% of federal employee wages, and can seize up to 100% of payments owed to federal contractors and vendors.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
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Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
This technique, the researchers say, substantially reduces message traffic, decreasing the chance the network might seize up.
—Margo Anderson, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Oct. 2025
Of course, on another night, Miami’s CJ Daniels doesn’t make a one-handed touchdown grab after beating Moore with a double move and Shuler seizing up.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi was already offering a reward of $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and seized up to $700 million of assets allegedly linked to him on Aug. 13, including luxury goods, bank accounts, and private jets.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
Most importantly, don't fret if your frosting seizes up or separates.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
When its network seizes up, the ripple effect touches every major US hub, from JFK and LAX to Seattle and Miami.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Private credit isn’t subject to the same regulations or oversight as banks, raising contagion risk if the market seizes up.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 16 July 2025
For example, the government can garnish up to 15% of federal employee wages, and can seize up to 100% of payments owed to federal contractors and vendors.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seize up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seize%20up. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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