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

If so, that's the kind of opportunity worth seizing. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Federal immigration agents were seizing people across the city. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Riyad Mahrez was quickest to react, seizing on the ball as Mwene tried in desperation to rugby tackle him backwards. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026

Authorities served a search warrant at the rescue on May 1, seizing electronics, business records, financial records, firearms, and other evidence, according to the sheriff. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 June 2026

For leadership teams worldwide, this requires striking a careful balance between responding to immediate disruption and seizing arising opportunities to bolster growth. — Anna Marks, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

And there are reports that the Kremlin has imposed a deadline of September for seizing the Donbas region, although ISW has assessed that Russia is unlikely to achieve that aim. — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Hezbollah and Israel went to war shortly after the outbreak of the wider conflict, with Hezbollah firing rockets and drones at civilian communities in northern Israel and Israel seizing large swaths of southern Lebanon. — Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026

Last month, police raided the teen’s home on Creekside Drive, seizing $1,300 in cash and a box containing packages of edible cannabis products, which were similar to what the girl allegedly ingested, authorities said. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 June 2026