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 influx of travelers translates to a higher probability of TSA confiscating or surrendering restricted items, from pocket knives to perfume.
—
Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The schools claimed this led to staff spending time on confiscating cell phones and other devices, as well as hiring additional staff to support student mental health and counseling.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 23 May 2026
Sunday morning's incident follows the NYPD confiscating vehicles and making arrests last month related to a meet-up in Maspeth, Queens, where fire was involved.
—Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 10 May 2026
His first exhibition in 1963 reportedly caused a stir, with a vice squad identifying pornography in at least two of his paintings and confiscating them.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
His first exhibition in 1963 reportedly caused a stir, with a vice squad identifying pornography in at least two of his paintings, and confiscating them.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
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
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
As tension erupts between Jewish settlers and Palestinian rebels, the British police and Army enforce an indiscriminate crackdown on Arab villagers, confiscating their land, enforcing curfews, limiting travel, and beating and arresting any who resist.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
The schools claimed this led to staff spending time on confiscating cell phones and other devices, as well as hiring additional staff to support student mental health and counseling.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 23 May 2026
Sunday morning's incident follows the NYPD confiscating vehicles and making arrests last month related to a meet-up in Maspeth, Queens, where fire was involved.
—Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 10 May 2026
His first exhibition in 1963 reportedly caused a stir, with a vice squad identifying pornography in at least two of his paintings and confiscating them.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
His first exhibition in 1963 reportedly caused a stir, with a vice squad identifying pornography in at least two of his paintings, and confiscating them.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
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
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
As tension erupts between Jewish settlers and Palestinian rebels, the British police and Army enforce an indiscriminate crackdown on Arab villagers, confiscating their land, enforcing curfews, limiting travel, and beating and arresting any who resist.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confiscating
Verb
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Instead of simply selling chicken tenders, the brand is attaching itself to a highly visible social ecosystem where luxury consumers, influencers, and tastemakers gather every summer.—
Amber Love Bond,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Those of us who love her can’t help attaching all sorts of feelings to her face, her body, her way of speaking, moving, and singing.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Survivors describe squeezing through treacherous tunnels and seizing a brief drop in water levels to walk out, as tearful scenes greeted their emergence and uncertainty lingers over the missing pair.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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In recent years, the Houthis have demonstrated their ability to disrupt maritime navigation near Bab al-Mandeb by attacking, seizing and sinking vessels passing through its waters.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
29 May 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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People who compost their food scraps and yard trimmings can contribute to reducing landfill methane emissions; improving soil health; and sequestering carbon, according to the EPA.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Confiscating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confiscating. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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