as in to seize
to take ownership or control of (something) by right of one's authority
anything that might be used as a weapon will be confiscated by the security guards
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Recent Examples of confiscate
Additionally, Bobby is part of a human trafficking scheme with Tony Curran, bringing in workers from Eastern Europe and confiscating their passports.
—
EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The artist Gao Zhen, famous for his depictions of Mao Zedong, the Communist regime’s founder, was detained last year, and the authorities confiscated several of his works that had been created more than a decade earlier.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
If, for example, the EU speeds up delivery of ammunition and drones from existing stock and extends a financial lifeline to Kyiv by confiscating the $250 billion worth of frozen Russian assets sitting in its banks, the Kremlin may not achieve its strategic goal of Ukraine’s subjugation.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
The police also confiscated two cell phones.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confiscate
EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The artist Gao Zhen, famous for his depictions of Mao Zedong, the Communist regime’s founder, was detained last year, and the authorities confiscated several of his works that had been created more than a decade earlier.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
If, for example, the EU speeds up delivery of ammunition and drones from existing stock and extends a financial lifeline to Kyiv by confiscating the $250 billion worth of frozen Russian assets sitting in its banks, the Kremlin may not achieve its strategic goal of Ukraine’s subjugation.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
The police also confiscated two cell phones.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confiscate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confiscate
Verb
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That initial investigation led the HPD to obtain a search warrant to seize electronic devices from the property associated with the IP address of the cyber tip, and the department investigated online communications.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
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In addition, several firearms and drugs were seized from other residences, according to police.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That accusation was included as a footnote attached to documents the government filed in immigration court.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
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The area was hit heavily by flooding and widespread destruction because the Mississippi River attaches at the mouth of the ward.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confiscate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confiscate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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