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

Last week, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a lightning offensive against Yemeni government forces, seizing control of the country’s entire Red Sea coast, including the towns and islands around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 2026

The rebels raced down the country’s Red Sea coast more than a week ago, seizing the key port city of Mokha and islands on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea. — Toqa Ezzidin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi regime orchestrated the largest art theft in world history, seizing over 600,000 works of art across Europe from Jewish families, collectors and museums. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

That would be like blaming Czechoslovakia for Adolf Hitler seizing part of its territory in 1938 and the entire country in 1939. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

More broadly, seizing the Arabian Peninsula’s other choke point and banning Saudi shipping through it makes the Houthis look, to much of the world and no small part of Yemen, like Tehran’s instrument – whatever their own objectives actually are. — Mahad D. Darar, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, Houthi rebels in Yemen, also supported by Tehran, have increased their onslaught against southern targets, seizing strategic islands in the Bab el-Mandeb waterway. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026

At their height, jihadi groups proved capable of spectacular violence, forming alliances amid civil wars and even seizing territory. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026

Nevertheless, the sight of the 20-year-old Slovenian riding clear up the famed Calo Alto, seven years on from a similarly callow Pogačar seizing his first Grand Tour stage victory, provide a resounding echo. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026