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[ UK /sˈiːz/ ]
[ US /ˈsiz/ ]
VERB
  1. take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
    The FBI seized the drugs
    The police confiscated the stolen artwork
    The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
  2. take or capture by force
    The terrorists seized the politicians
    The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
  3. capture the attention or imagination of
    The movie seized my imagination
    This story will grab you
  4. take hold of; grab
    Birds of prey often seize small mammals
    The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
    The mother seized her child by the arm
    She clutched her purse
  5. affect
    He was seized with a dreadful disease
    Fear seized the prisoners
    The patient was seized with unbearable pains
  6. hook by a pull on the line
    strike a fish
  7. take possession of by force, as after an invasion
    The militia captured the castle
    the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
    The army seized the town
  8. seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
    he usurped my rights
    He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
    She seized control of the throne after her husband died

How To Use seize In A Sentence

  • Most of the child hostages who were seized by terrorists were reported to be alive.
  • A mild fit of calenture seizes him, in which he deems that the ground so far below, is on a level with the tower, and would as lief walk off the tower into the air as not. The Mystery of Edwin Drood
  • When fishing the ocean you need a good quality reel that is corrosion proof and fitted with a good quality and workable drag system that won't seize up when you hook that big one.
  • Recruit rich white republicunts (carpetbaggers) to swoop in and scoop-up "devalued" (seized from still-exiled owners) properties and change the entire complexion (race, income, politics, everyfuckingthing) of the ENTIRE GREATER NEW ORLEANS AREA. Your Right Hand Thief
  • As the author repeatedly points out, the pornographic material he seized wasn't simply more explicit than 18-certificate films or top-shelf magazines.
  • Matters went on pretty well with us until my master was seized with a severe fit of illness, in consequence of which his literary scheme was completely defeated, and his condition in life materially injured; of course, the glad tones of encouragement which I had been accustomed to hear were changed into expressions of condolence, and sometimes assurances of unabated friendship; but then it must be remembered that I, the handsomest blue coat, was _still in good condition_, and it will perhaps appear, that if I were not my master's The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 262, July 7, 1827
  • I've had one letter opener seized, two Swiss army knives.
  • During the search police seized a blue sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. Times, Sunday Times
  • Since Kashmir was (and is) a Muslim majority territory, Pakistan felt justified in seeing Pushtun warlords charge in from the north-west of Pakistan, late in 1947, to seize control of Kashmir.
  • Carpe diem (Pluck the day; Seize the day). 
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