1
as in knows
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 arrests
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 grabs
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 confiscates
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 seizes
Dean seizes the moment to confess his feelings for Allie, hoping to turn their friends-with-benefits arrangement into something more.
—
Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
The chef Brooks Headley seizes the day every day, showing us that vegetables are canny, capricious characters, capable of anything.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Joan Goodwin, a physics professor with a lifelong love of the stars, seizes the chance to join NASA’s first class of women astronauts and soon finds friendship, passion, and purpose among her fellow trainees.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Earnest and intersectional, the spoken word artist’s debut solo album seizes upon the power of club music to preach about gender equality, personal transformation, and communal uplift.
—Jesse Dorris, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
So, when Ozzie (Kyle Bary), a former child star, finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Continue reading … MARITIME VICTORY — Coast Guard seizes 22,000 pounds of cocaine in largest bust in 18 years.
—FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately, though, she’s still possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley, whose voice seizes her body with tiresome frequency.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
The chef Brooks Headley seizes the day every day, showing us that vegetables are canny, capricious characters, capable of anything.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Joan Goodwin, a physics professor with a lifelong love of the stars, seizes the chance to join NASA’s first class of women astronauts and soon finds friendship, passion, and purpose among her fellow trainees.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Rather than intercepting income at the source, a bank levy freezes and seizes funds that are already sitting in your checking or savings account.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Earnest and intersectional, the spoken word artist’s debut solo album seizes upon the power of club music to preach about gender equality, personal transformation, and communal uplift.
—Jesse Dorris, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026
So, when Ozzie (Kyle Bary), a former child star, finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Continue reading … MARITIME VICTORY — Coast Guard seizes 22,000 pounds of cocaine in largest bust in 18 years.
—FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately, though, she’s still possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley, whose voice seizes her body with tiresome frequency.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seizes
Verb
-
The backstory Robin Hutson knows hotels.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Rashad knows that even now, at this late stage in hip-hop’s evolution, rappers are expected to guard their reputations carefully.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Devlin throws a punch at Stone when the chief arrests him for drunken driving.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The horrid image in the news of a column of smoke rising above the city of Tehran — an abyss of darkness against the gray sky — arrests my attention.—
Babak Rahimi,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Next, Beth grabs her father's hat, perched on a stand next to the photograph.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
So, pay attention to what grabs your attention now, because the cosmos could be delivering a message through the most random interaction, TikTok scroll or overheard conversation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The children designated as Palestinians, meanwhile, have their drawings torn up and are relegated to small corners of the classroom while the teacher confiscates their candy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Milwaukee Marshall High School confiscates a student’s phone until the end of the day for a first offense, requires a parent pickup after a second offense and issues an automatic suspension for repeat violations.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Peace returns when everyone understands what is being shared.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
The director understands immediately.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Though the team immediately apprehends a suspect, the Marshals end up taking criticism from both sides.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Neighbors are now living in fear, looking on as ICE apprehends people of color across Minnesota.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Power—the explosive, fast-twitch capacity that catches you mid-fall—goes first.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
All this will come to the fore when Apple eventually sorts out its own AI strategy and catches iPhone up with other platforms.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
After witnessing Sinner miss 16 break points against the same opponent on Friday, Alcaraz would have been forgiven for worrying that something similar might happen to him — especially against arguably tennis’s greatest escape artist, at least until the Spaniard usurps him.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Jokic usurps Nurkic Jusuf Nurkic became Jokic’s first backup center in unceremonious fashion, getting benched by Michael Malone 25 games into his third season.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seizes. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
