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
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
Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) seizes an opportunity to regain her position.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Iran occasionally seizes oil-carrying vessels over similar charges in the region.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Iran seizes oil tankers Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Season 2 also seizes on an obvious opportunity.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
The Department of Education first resumed the Treasury Offset program, which seizes defaulted borrowers’ federal payments, on May 5, 2025.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The slender but powerful book takes place over the course of a week, when Ma’s plans are suddenly imperiled while Boomba seizes the chance to make up for his past mistakes and help his family.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
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
Now, her family must reckon with the consequences as Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) seizes an opportunity to regain her position.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Iran occasionally seizes oil-carrying vessels over similar charges in the region.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Iran seizes oil tankers Iran seized two foreign oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on Thursday, state television reported, claiming the vessels had been smuggling fuel.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Season 2 also seizes on an obvious opportunity.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
The Department of Education first resumed the Treasury Offset program, which seizes defaulted borrowers’ federal payments, on May 5, 2025.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
The slender but powerful book takes place over the course of a week, when Ma’s plans are suddenly imperiled while Boomba seizes the chance to make up for his past mistakes and help his family.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seizes
Verb
-
Lugo knows the land, which is made up of nine different landowners, will still be developed.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone knows that Isaiah Evans can get on a heater.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Department of Damage Control arrests Trevor.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The sheer scale of an estate for sale in San Francisco’s tony Pacific Heights neighborhood — a residence spanning 26,000 square feet, or the equivalent of 10 average homes — arrests the imagination.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are some broadly entertaining yet scattershot series of betrayals, shootouts, car chases (and subsequent crashes), though little that actually raises the pulse or grabs your emotions.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
-
San Francisco's new manager grabs a piece of gum from a dugout basket then heads out onto the grass at Scottsdale Stadium and gets to work.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 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
-
John Keating, a combat veteran who served on the City Council for 15 years, pitched himself as an experienced politician who understands city government deeply.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But for as much as Rick and Morty understands geekdom and storytelling conventions, the secret sauce is how much the series is interested in understanding feelings.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Neighbors are now living in fear, looking on as ICE apprehends people of color across Minnesota.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
-
The team successfully seizes two tons of gold and apprehends the leader of the criminal network.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As these tools become more integrated into everyday radiology practice, a scan that answers the question it was asked and also catches something else worth knowing becomes less of an aspiration and more of a realistic near-term goal.—
Peter Gunderman,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The full force of cinema is felt not only in an outstanding sound design, notable in the wondrous opening sequence which catches the cacophony of Mexico’s stunning Oyamel fir forest at dawn.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
14 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
