Thesaurus

seize

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of seize

1 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 of seize

appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand

Words Related to seize

absorb, digest, take in

fathom, penetrate, pierce

Phrases Synonymous with seize

pick up on

Near Antonyms of seize

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

Antonyms of seize

2 to take or keep under oneʼs control by authority of law

seized the leaders of one of the cityʼs major drug rings

Synonyms of seize

apprehend, arrest, bust [slang], collar, nab, nail, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, restrain, run in

Words Related to seize

bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up)

bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel

Near Antonyms of seize

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring

unbind, unchain

Antonyms of seize

3 to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

seized the escaping balloon just before it got out of reach

Synonyms of seize

bag, capture, catch, collar, cop [slang], corral, get, glom, grab, grapple, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble [British slang], rap, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

Words Related to seize

glove, halter, lasso, rope

apprehend, arrest, detain

clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure

enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh

abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)

Phrases Synonymous with seize

take hold (of)

Near Antonyms of seize

discharge, free, liberate, release

drop, loosen, unhand

Antonyms of seize

4 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 of seize

appropriate, arrogate, commandeer, convert, expropriate, pirate, preempt, press, take over, usurp

Words Related to seize

annex, attach, claim, confiscate, impound, repossess, sequester

assume, collar, grab, grasp, snatch, steal, wrench, wrest

despoil, loot, pillage

encroach, infringe, invade, occupy, preoccupy, trespass

embezzle, misapply, misappropriate, misuse, peculate

Synonym Discussion of seize

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

- take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

- seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

- grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

- clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

- snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

- grabbed roughly by the arm

Learn More about seize

Dictionary: Definition of seize Spanish Central: Translation of seize Nglish: Translation of seize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of seize for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up seize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

vitiate

to make faulty or ineffective

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games