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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of seizing
If a company doesn’t comply, the FDA can step in more aggressively, including issuing public warnings, seizing products or going to court to force them off the market, often in coordination with state officials.
—
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Our adversaries are seizing the advantage.
—Jeff Coller, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
In an embarrassingly amateurish political stunt, Bianco blew the president a kiss and all but begged for an endorsement by seizing 650,000 ballots from last November’s election to determine whether they were fraudulently counted.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Behind the scenes, Rajner was an in-your-face advocate, seizing every opportunity — in corridors, elevators, even restrooms — to press the issue and keep it in front of Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for seizing
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Our adversaries are seizing the advantage.
—Jeff Coller, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
In an embarrassingly amateurish political stunt, Bianco blew the president a kiss and all but begged for an endorsement by seizing 650,000 ballots from last November’s election to determine whether they were fraudulently counted.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Behind the scenes, Rajner was an in-your-face advocate, seizing every opportunity — in corridors, elevators, even restrooms — to press the issue and keep it in front of Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for seizing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seizing
Verb
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Moderate exercise helps, but high-intensity overtraining can raise cortisol further, worth knowing if punishing workouts are already part of a stressed routine.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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Ruca told Fox News Digital there were a few bittersweet feelings going into the match, just knowing what the two have been through together.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal officials reinstated the 1998 order in February after arresting her.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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However, just before the ceremony was set to begin, two officials from the county's sheriff's office halted the wedding by arresting Armstrong.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6-for-6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Agents targeted grocery stores, churches, and construction sites, smashing car windows and pulling people from vehicles or grabbing them at a hardware store parking lot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While Tehran is being bombarded, the regime’s security forces have been stationed at checkpoints across the city, searching civilians and confiscating their phones.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vera Rubin, an astronomer whose observations of galaxy rotation curves in the 1970s provided the first robust evidence for dark matter's existence, embraced her Jewish faith as a guide to understanding her role in the universe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Preparation means understanding your client’s business, their operational needs, and their financial guardrails.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fort Worth police officer Bobbie Sanchez, who was elbowed in the jaw while apprehending a suspect, told the Star-Telegram there was not a single oral surgeon in the city’s network who could treat her injuries, which delayed her recovery.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
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That process has effectively scared many people away from filling out paperwork to recertify with Medi-Cal due to fears of being outed by the federal government, which is cracking down on undocumented immigrants by apprehending and deporting them.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Switching between modes is as easy as pressing a button, but testers say MC Mode is the real standout for its jaw-snatching results.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
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Sixth District Commissioner Donna Miller was in the latter group, successfully snatching the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seizing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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