1
as in to understand
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 to arrest
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 to grab
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 to confiscate
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 seize
China and Russia are seizing the lead, expanding their domestic capacities as well as exporting nuclear technology and constructing nuclear power plants across a variety of emerging economies.
—
Juzel Lloyd, Foreign Affairs, 28 Apr. 2025
Russia has also seized Ukrainian territory in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions since invading in February 2022.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
All the efforts, big and small, culminated with Nemec, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, seizing a puck at his own blue line early in the second overtime.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seize
Juzel Lloyd, Foreign Affairs, 28 Apr. 2025
Russia has also seized Ukrainian territory in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions since invading in February 2022.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025
All the efforts, big and small, culminated with Nemec, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, seizing a puck at his own blue line early in the second overtime.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
These results suggest that media-savvy Democrats who seize this moment to call out Trump and the MAGA agenda could put themselves in a strong position to become the next leader of the Democratic Party.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seize
Verb
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How to help people process, understand and live with this to the best of their ability is really the key to having the best quality of life.—
Michelle Riba,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
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And of course, there’s the need to understand and report on any unexpected and game-changing social media post from the White House.—
Howard Homonoff,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Accused of being gang members Millan was moved to Bluebonnet in mid-April from the Stewart detention center in Lumpkin, Georgia, where he had been held since he was arrested by immigration agents in the Atlanta suburbs on March 12, according to a senior Department of Homeland Security official.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that 18 suspects have been arrested for alleged arson amid the inferno, which has spread across more than 5,000 acres in the foothills of Jerusalem over the past two days.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Keep scrolling for more comfortable and packable flats to grab this season from Amazon, Nordstrom, Zappos, and more—starting at $25.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2025
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Decker was walking and pushing his bike when Nelson grabbed his backpack and attempted to detain him.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The pair collaborated on searching freight shipments, storage units and vehicles to confiscate drugs, targeting marijuana in particular because it was stored locally rather than sent to the DEA, according to officials.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
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Some of them have taken advantage of the departure of foreign and multinational corporations from Russia by buying depreciated assets or simply confiscating them, generally with the support of powerful insiders, such as the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.—
ALEXANDER GABUEV,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Okay, Emily’s mom knows her as faith and is referring to some mysterious fire.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
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Unfortunately, Seong-je knows no loyalty, and agrees to beat up Si-eun for Baek-jin on the morning of the fight.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Secret Service apprehended another suspect, weeks later, Ryan Routh, who was armed on a golf course where Trump was playing.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Apr. 2025
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Police apprehended 38-year-old Cody Balmer in connection with the incident, and search warrants alleged that the suspect admitted to the crimes.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The body position of Anderson is revealing here, caught between closing Savinho down and covering the pass out wide.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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The alleged thieves were caught and their trial began this week.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The return would be enough to steal Abbott from the Reds.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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The Pacers will return home for Games 5 and 7 (if necessary), which means the Bucks would need to steal two road wins to advance.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Seize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seize. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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