- 1to take someone or something in your hand suddenly and using force synonym grab seize something from somebody She tried to seize the gun from him. seize somebody/something He seized her by the arm. She seized hold of my hand.
- 2seize something (from somebody) to take control of a place or situation, often suddenly and violently They seized the airport in a surprise attack. The army has seized control of the country. He seized power in a military coup.
- 3seize somebody to arrest or capture someone The men were seized as they left the building.
- 4seize something to take illegal or stolen goods away from someone A large quantity of drugs was seized during the raid.
- 5seize a chance, an opportunity, the initiative, etc. to be quick to make use of a chance, an opportunity, etc. synonym grab The party seized the initiative with both hands (= quickly and with enthusiasm).
- 6seize somebody (of an emotion) to affect someone suddenly and deeply Panic seized her. He was seized by curiosity. Phrasal Verbsseize onseize up
seize
verbNAmE//siz//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they seize he / she / it seizes
past simple seized
-ing form seizing
Check pronunciation: seize