as in seizure
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Recent Examples of impressment
The Advertiser was edited by Samuel Adams for artisans and laborers fired up by their successful resistance to impressment—the Navy’s effort to grab men for forced service—and concerned about rising poverty in the postwar depression.
—
Time, 7 July 2025
In particular, the U.S. government protested British interference with its foreign trade and the Royal Navy’s practice of impressment, which meant forcing American sailors to serve aboard British warships.
—Lawrence B.a. Hatter / Made By History, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
The United States declared war on Great Britain after more incidents of naval impressment, trade restrictions, and the British attack of the Chesapeake.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2024
The crew was a combustible mix of regular sailors, marines and impressed crewmen — impressment being a kind of slavery wherein men were kidnapped and forced to serve for an indefinite period.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Jefferson’s accession to the presidency coincided with demands for higher payments and the impressment of a U.S. Navy frigate, the USS George Washington, by the Dey of Algiers as a courier vessel.
—John Yoo, National Review, 15 Jan. 2020
These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates, which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
In fact, by the late summer of 1812, the British had eliminated the orders in council, leaving impressment as the only unresolved issue of any consequence.
—Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2012
Time, 7 July 2025
In particular, the U.S. government protested British interference with its foreign trade and the Royal Navy’s practice of impressment, which meant forcing American sailors to serve aboard British warships.
—Lawrence B.a. Hatter / Made By History, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025
The United States declared war on Great Britain after more incidents of naval impressment, trade restrictions, and the British attack of the Chesapeake.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2024
The crew was a combustible mix of regular sailors, marines and impressed crewmen — impressment being a kind of slavery wherein men were kidnapped and forced to serve for an indefinite period.
—Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023
Jefferson’s accession to the presidency coincided with demands for higher payments and the impressment of a U.S. Navy frigate, the USS George Washington, by the Dey of Algiers as a courier vessel.
—John Yoo, National Review, 15 Jan. 2020
These distinctive tattoos were then recorded in their personal Seamen’s Protection Certificates, which were used as identification and to help stave off impressment.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2017
In fact, by the late summer of 1812, the British had eliminated the orders in council, leaving impressment as the only unresolved issue of any consequence.
—Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impressment
Noun
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The 2020 election has become a prime interest of Gabbard’s, who, in addition to being on the scene for the Fulton County search, was involved in another investigation that prompted the seizure of voting machines in Puerto Rico.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
16 Feb. 2026
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This violates the 4th Amendment, which protects people (including noncitizens) from unreasonable searches and seizures in their homes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Attorney Warren Lupel, who represented Gary Dotson, a Chicago-area man who went to prison after being convicted of rape and kidnapping but was freed after the woman who accused him of those crimes recanted her testimony, has died.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Authorities have not determined if the glove is connected to the kidnapping.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impressment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impressment. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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