ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Seize

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /siːz/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Seize is a verb meaning (transitive) To deliberately take hold of; to grab or capture.

Meaning

(transitive) To deliberately take hold of; to grab or capture.

More Meanings

  1. (transitive) To take advantage of (an opportunity or circumstance).
  2. (transitive) To take possession of (by force, law etc.).
  3. (transitive) To have a sudden and powerful effect upon.
  4. (transitive, law) Alternative spelling of seise (“to vest ownership of an estate in land”).
  5. (transitive, nautical) To bind, lash or make fast, with several turns of small rope, cord, or small line.
  6. (transitive, obsolete) To fasten, fix.
  7. (intransitive) To lay hold in seizure, by hands or claws (+ on or upon).

Example Sentences

a fever seized him
to seize smuggled goods
a panic seized the crowd
to seize a ship after libeling

Word Forms

Synonyms for seize

Depending on context, synonyms include clasp, grasp, grip, beclasp, begrasp, begrip.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include prehend, grab, capture, conquer, clutch, take over.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.