as in attaching
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 confiscating
The sisters’ mother, Vesta Louis, told Politico this week that federal investigators raided both of their homes in simultaneous operations on March 23, confiscating their cellphones and other electronics.
—
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2026
While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.
—Paul Kiefer, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Security forces are conducting door-to-door searches, confiscating satellite dishes to identify protesters.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
After confiscating the device, officials downloaded its data to look at the GPS locations of where the drone had been.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025
Jewish settlers arriving from Europe are confiscating more and more of their land, enabled and protected by the British administrators of the region.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2026
While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Video of the incident shows a CBP officer confiscating the handgun shortly before other agents shot Pretti multiple times, killing him.
—Paul Kiefer, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Security forces are conducting door-to-door searches, confiscating satellite dishes to identify protesters.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
After confiscating the device, officials downloaded its data to look at the GPS locations of where the drone had been.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025
Jewish settlers arriving from Europe are confiscating more and more of their land, enabled and protected by the British administrators of the region.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confiscating
Verb
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To do so, Republicans intend to keep the bill narrowly focused on the funding, rather than attaching other priorities.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Rescuers were finally able to free Troy Saturday evening by guiding him with harnesses and attaching him to a boat, according to the fire district.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The laws, which her party backed in recent years, eliminated preliminary detention in certain cases and raised the threshold for seizing criminal assets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Mansfield Legacy throttles Crowley Mansfield Legacy piled on the hits against Crowley Friday, seizing a 17-1 victory in a game that ended after three innings.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In his view, the administration is effectively expropriating the decision-making power of owners and handing it to the state.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some residents have accused the police of sequestering fuel supplies, according to local media.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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The continent is home to 60% of the planet’s uncultivated arable land that is capable of sequestering immense amounts of carbon—yet only 16% of the global carbon credits market.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confiscating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confiscating. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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