Synonyms of seizing

seizing

verb

present participle of seize

1

as in knowing

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

• knowing
• understanding
• grasping
• recognizing
• deciphering
• seeing
• comprehending
• appreciating
• getting
• realizing
• perceiving
• sensing
• apprehending
• assimilating
• making
• conceiving
• digging
• registering
• discerning
• beholding
• catching
• intuiting
• decoding
• cognizing
• tumbling (to)
• compassing
• twigging
• making out
• catching on (to)
• savvying
• grokking
• absorbing
• digesting
• picking up on
• fathoming
• cottoning (to or on to)
• penetrating
• taking in
• piercing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missing
• mistaking
• misinterpreting
• misreading
• misconstruing
• misunderstanding
• misconceiving
• misapprehending
• misperceiving

2

as in arresting

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

• arresting
• grabbing
• apprehending
• restraining
• detaining
• capturing
• snatching
• pinching
• nailing
• nicking
• committing
• nabbing
• running in
• pulling in
• catching
• busting
• jailing
• collaring
• imprisoning
• trapping
• picking up
• incarcerating
• snaring
• confining
• grappling
• holding
• hooking
• bagging
• getting
• landing
• handcuffing
• snapping (up)
• binding
• locking (up)
• interning
• shackling
• fettering
• remanding
• jugging
• enchaining
• immuring
• manacling
• trammeling
• rearresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• releasing
• springing
• freeing
• liberating
• loosening
• emancipating
• loosing
• unchaining
• unbinding

3

as in grabbing

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

• grabbing
• snatching
• catching
• capturing
• getting
• landing
• trapping
• snagging
• nabbing
• snaring
• grappling
• corralling
• hooking
• bagging
• nailing
• rapping
• netting
• collaring
• taking hold (of)
• copping
• snapping (up)
• grasping
• arresting
• glomming
• holding
• clutching
• detaining
• nobbling
• securing
• apprehending
• gripping
• clasping
• roping
• cornering
• lassoing
• kidnapping
• abducting
• gloving
• rending
• wresting
• entrapping
• ensnaring
• baying
• haltering
• entangling
• fisting
• fastening (on)
• latching (on or onto)
• enmeshing
• meshing
• spiriting (away or off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• missing
• releasing
• discharging
• freeing
• liberating
• dropping
• loosening
• unhanding

4

as in confiscating

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

• confiscating
• grabbing
• stealing
• usurping
• converting
• occupying
• claiming
• appropriating
• annexing
• snatching
• commandeering
• invading
• preempting
• pirating
• expropriating
• arrogating
• assuming
• pressing
• taking over
• looting
• attaching
• grasping
• repossessing
• impounding
• sequestering
• encroaching
• despoiling
• pillaging
• misusing
• infringing
• wrenching
• wresting
• collaring
• trespassing
• misapplying
• misappropriating
• preoccupying
• embezzling
• peculating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of seizing

Options like seizing Iranian assets and sanctioning Iran’s trading partners, exchange houses, and Chinese banks all have potential downsides. — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026

For years, Hayward police have investigated Johnson as a suspect, seizing his phones, testing Hunter’s clothing for DNA, and interviewing witnesses, but just recently convinced prosecutors to file a case. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

In the first half of this year, police reported seizing 80 tons of drugs, while in 2025 authorities confiscated nearly 215 tons, primarily cocaine. — CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Second-year University of Connecticut student Kira Mesick jumped at the chance to fill a resident assistant job at the university’s new, $29 million residence hall in downtown Hartford, seizing on its Pratt Street location. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

The line of four large and heavily defended cities, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) long, has been key to denying Moscow its goal of seizing Ukraine's industrial heartland. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

No doubt, many progressives, who are looking forward to the DSA seizing power, will cheer her boldness, but the rest of us should be scared to death. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

The Dodgers weren’t actually bankrupt at the time, but then owner Frank McCourt used the process to keep MLB from seizing the team. — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Withers, 28, has lately been seizing every opportunity in his path, but the Amazon MGM Studios rom-com represents a chance to show a lighter side. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026