seize
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
seizes;
seized;
seizing
seizes;
seized;
seizing
Britannica Dictionary definition of SEIZE
[+ object]
1
a
:
to use legal or official power to take (something)
-
Police seized [=confiscated] the weapons and drugs.
-
The bank seized their property.
b
:
to get or take (something) in a forceful, sudden, or violent way
-
The army has seized control of the city.
-
A rebel group attempted to seize power.
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He suddenly seized the lead in the final lap of the race.
c
:
to attack and take control of (a place) by force or violence
-
The soldiers seized [=captured] the fort.
2
a
:
to forcefully take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms
:
grab
-
He seized her by the arm.
-
He tried to seize the gun from him.
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She seized hold of my hand. [=she seized my hand]
b
:
to take (someone) as a prisoner
-
The police seized [=arrested] the robbers.
-
Seize that man!
-
She was seized by kidnappers and carried off to a hidden location.
3
:
to take or use (something, such as a chance or opportunity) in a quick and eager way
-
He seized the chance/initiative/opportunity to present his ideas to his boss.
-
My father taught me to seize the day. [=to do the things I want to do when I have the chance instead of waiting for a later time]
-
Seizing the moment, she introduced herself to the famous film director.
4
a
:
to begin to affect (someone) suddenly
-
Panic seized him. = He was seized by panic.
b
:
to have a powerful effect on (someone)
-
His movies seized the public's imagination. [=the public became very interested in and enthusiastic about his movies]
-
She was suddenly seized with the idea [=she suddenly had the idea] of owning her own restaurant.
seize on/upon
[phrasal verb]
seize on/upon (something)
:
to take or use (something, such as a chance or opportunity) in a quick and eager way
-
His critics have seized on the scandal to call for his resignation.
-
She seized on the opportunity to tell her side of the story.
seize up
[phrasal verb]
:
to stop working because the moving parts can no longer move
— sometimes used figuratively
-
The engine/brakes suddenly seized up.
-
Her brain seized up when she tried to answer the question.
