seizeverb
uk/siːz/us/siːz/B2 [ T ] to take something quickly and keep or hold it:
I seized his arm and made him turn to look at me.
He seized the chance/opportunity of a free flight with both hands (= with eagerness or enthusiasm).
C2 [ T ] to take using sudden force:
The rebels have seized ten soldiers to use as hostages.
Political instability helped the army to seize power.
Troops yesterday seized control of the broadcasting station.
[ T ] If the police or other officials seize something, they take possession of it with legal authority:
Customs officers at Heathrow have seized 60 kilos of heroin.
[ usually passive ] If a strong emotion or pain seizes you, you feel it suddenly:
I was suddenly seized by/with a feeling of great insecurity and loneliness.
More examples
- She seized the gun and ran at him.
- Seizing the book in both hands, she threw it across the room.
- Heroin worth about $5 million was seized.
- The soldiers fell on the villagers and seized all their weapons.
- The terrorists have seized 20 hostages and are threatening to kill one a day unless their demands are met.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Having in your hands
- ahold
- arm
- clasp
- clench
- cling
- cradle
- cup
- dandle
- enfold
- glove
- grasp
- hand
- hand in hand idiom
- handle
- hang
- hang on
- hang/hold on like grim death idiom
- hold
- hold on
- pinion
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Capturing or taking possession of things
Attacking & invading
Taking things away from someone or somewhere
Knowledge and awareness
Phrasal verb(s)
seize on/upon sth
seize up