1
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of
a critic with a sharp intellect that is able to seize the most subtle nuances of a work of art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
seized the leaders of one of the city's major drug rings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
seized the escaping balloon just before it got out of reach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to confiscate
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
Richard III seized the English throne from his brother Edward in 1483
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of seize
The hub houses all of Fulton County’s election data and equipment, and on Wednesday night, Commissioner Robb Pitts said 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots were among the materials that federal agents seized.
—
Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The pair reconciled, but in February 2024, another fight escalated into violence when Carnahan seized Crosby by the throat and slammed her to the floor, the cross-complaint claims.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Israel has released roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under the ceasefire deal, many of whom were seized by Israeli troops during the more than two-year war and held without being charged.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Millions of student loan borrowers in default risked seeing their wages garnished and tax refunds seized as debt collection involving tax refunds and wages resumed.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for seize
Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The pair reconciled, but in February 2024, another fight escalated into violence when Carnahan seized Crosby by the throat and slammed her to the floor, the cross-complaint claims.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
Israel has released roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under the ceasefire deal, many of whom were seized by Israeli troops during the more than two-year war and held without being charged.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Millions of student loan borrowers in default risked seeing their wages garnished and tax refunds seized as debt collection involving tax refunds and wages resumed.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for seize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seize
Verb
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Used by more than just psychiatrists, the DSM is considered the very foundation of how mental health issues are understood.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images MONTREAL — Cole Caufield arrived for his on-air interview between the second and third periods Tuesday night understanding the exact situation in which his Montreal Canadiens found themselves.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dozens of asylum seekers like her, as well as refugees who passed a rigorous, years-long vetting process before being admitted to the United States, have been arrested in Minnesota in recent weeks, immigration lawyers and advocates say.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement that officers arrested two people and used pepper balls after protesters did not heed orders to disperse, adding that demonstrators also breached a protest area and spit on officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The bottom-line mandate for the Bruins on Monday night was to grab two points against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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On January 13, in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Davison played 24 minutes, scoring 9 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The next day, authorities confiscated more than 50,000 vapes and displayed them in Mexico City’s central square.—
María Verza,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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Now the city wants more tools to expand its limited enforcement options, which would start with warnings, then fines and may include confiscating food, equipment and carts found in violation of city ordinance and health codes.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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About 80 warming centers were opened across the state, known as one of the nation's poorest.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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In other words, getting hit by the single most energetic particle presently known in all the Universe would have no noticeable effect on you at all.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Multiple people of interest were apprehended by police, and multiple guns were recovered, according to Doyle.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kazmierczak was quickly apprehended by security, tackled to the ground and escorted out of the building.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Not long after being resentenced, Thompson escaped from the Harris County Jail in Houston and spent three days on the run before being caught.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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This is the wrong time to be caught in these situations.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Around 2015, upstarts like Chobani or BodyArmor began stealing market share from legacy brands.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Another alleged member of the Latin Kings was charged in federal court in the District of Minnesota this month with being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of government property after breaking into an FBI vehicle and stealing a rifle.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seize. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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