seize
seize /ˈsiːz/
verb
-
(
)
Take hold of; grab
(
prehend
[Archaic] , seize
, clutch
)
take hold of; grab
The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
She clutched her purse
She clutched her purse
The mother seized her child by the arm
The mother seized her child by the arm
Birds of prey often seize small mammals
Birds of prey often seize small mammals
-
()
Take or capture by force
(
seize
)
take or capture by force
The terrorists seized the politicians
The terrorists seized the politicians
The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
-
()
Take possession of by force, as after an invasion
(
appropriate
, capture
, conquer
, seize
)
take possession of by force, as after an invasion
The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
The army seized the town
The army seized the town
The militia captured the castle
The militia captured the castle
-
()
Take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
(
attach
, impound
, sequester
, confiscate
, seize
)
take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
The FBI seized the drugs
The FBI seized the drugs
The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
The police confiscated the stolen artwork
The police confiscated the stolen artwork
-
Capture the attention or imagination of
(
grab
, seize
)
capture the attention or imagination of
This story will grab you
This story will grab you
The movie seized my imagination
The movie seized my imagination
-
Affect
(
clutch
, get hold of
, seize
)
affect
Fear seized the prisoners
Fear seized the prisoners
The patient was seized with unbearable pains
The patient was seized with unbearable pains
He was seized with a dreadful disease
He was seized with a dreadful disease
-
Hook by a pull on the line
(
seize
)
hook by a pull on the line
Strike a fish
strike a fish
-
Seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
(
arrogate
, assume
, seize
, take over
, usurp
)
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
He usurped my rights
he usurped my rights
She seized control of the throne after her husband died
She seized control of the throne after her husband died
