English Meaning & Definitions
To take hold of something suddenly and forcibly.
- “She seized his arm to stop him from walking into the street.”
- “The police seized the illegal contraband during the raid.”
To take possession of something by legal authority or force.
- “The government decided to seize the company's assets due to tax evasion.”
- “Customs officials seized the shipment at the border.”
To take advantage of an opportunity or chance eagerly.
- “You must seize the moment and apply for the job before it's too late.”
- “He seized the opportunity to travel abroad when the scholarship was offered.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “seize”.
Derived from the Old French 'seisir' (to take possession of), which originated from the Frankish 'satjan' (to set). It is related to the word 'sit,' implying the act of 'setting' oneself upon or taking possession of something.
Think of a 'sea' of hands reaching out to grab something quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions About “seize”
1. What is the meaning of “seize” in English?
In English, seize (verb) is defined as: “To take hold of something suddenly and forcibly.”.
2. How do you use “seize” in a sentence?
“She seized his arm to stop him from walking into the street.”
3. What are English synonyms of “seize”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “seize”?
Derived from the Old French 'seisir' (to take possession of), which originated from the Frankish 'satjan' (to set). It is related to the word 'sit,' implying the act of 'setting' oneself upon or taking possession of something.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.