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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of seize
In addition to the cannabis, authorities also claimed to have seized Bahlawan's cellphone, boarding pass and $960 in cash.
—
Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
In addition to wages, the federal government may also seize tax refunds and Social Security retirement and disability benefits when loans are in default.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 21 May 2025
Grenell is a longtime Trump ally, previously serving as U.S. ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, and he was appointed the interim executive director at the Kennedy Center after the president seized control of the Center back in February.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
This time, the case moved forward alongside multiple simultaneous investigations and cases in other states, and in 2018, the federal government seized Backpage and it was taken down.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for seize
Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
In addition to wages, the federal government may also seize tax refunds and Social Security retirement and disability benefits when loans are in default.
—Alain Sherter, CBS News, 21 May 2025
Grenell is a longtime Trump ally, previously serving as U.S. ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, and he was appointed the interim executive director at the Kennedy Center after the president seized control of the Center back in February.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
This time, the case moved forward alongside multiple simultaneous investigations and cases in other states, and in 2018, the federal government seized Backpage and it was taken down.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for seize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seize
Verb
-
The realtor also pulled permits to help determine a timeline of events to understand when some of the damage occurred.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
19 May 2025
-
To understand what’s at stake amid the NNSA’s workforce woes, USA TODAY interviewed current and former agency officials and reviewed decades of watchdog reports, safety records and other official documents.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
The former record executive, who was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of murder in a hit-and-run incident that killed businessman Terry Carter, reportedly agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in the wrongful death case on April 29, according to Rolling Stone.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Detectives arrested Ryan Hewitt, 29, of Corona on charges of carjacking and murder following an investigation, the sheriff’s office said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Combs returns to the scene shortly thereafter and appears to grab at the phone.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
The Pineapple Express actress allegedly grabbed and struck van Ree's arm in an altercation at a Seattle airport.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
But white farmers are being brutally killed, and their land is being confiscated in South Africa.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
13 May 2025
-
Our families could be dishonored in public, our personal memories confiscated for storage inside the Criminal Archives.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
On May 9, a swarm of what are believed to be Africanized honey bees, also known as killer bees, attacked and killed three horses in Comanche, Texas, just about 50 miles southeast of Eastland.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Barnett is best known for his participation in the first season of Love Island USA, which premiered in 2019.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
Nine migrants detained in attempt to enter La Jolla by boat Nine people were apprehended over the weekend after making landfall in La Jolla during an attempt to enter the United States by boat, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 May 2025
-
Footage of the low-stakes battle was captured by the resident's doorbell camera, which shows the gator moving door-to-door in Tortuga, a residential neighborhood in Fort Myers, before it was apprehended by a state alligator trapper.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Financial services leaders are thus caught in a paradox.—
Kathleen Walch,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Throughout the show, Elliot is often caught telling his kids wildly inappropriate stories in an effort to get closer to them and inspire them to open up.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
The ‘Turkey Brothers’ steal the encore with a boisterous jam As fans begged for an encore to an empty stage, an unlikely guest took center stage.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Mike gets into a brawl when Nathan (Dickinson, uncredited), a fellow addict also living rough, steals his wallet and blows all his cash.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seize. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share