seize
[verb]
Synonyms:
- grab, catch up, clutch, grasp, grip, lay hands on, snatch, take
- confiscate, appropriate, commandeer, impound, take possession of
- capture, apprehend, arrest, catch, take captive

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Contrasted words: free, loose, release
Related Idioms: get into one's clutches, get one's hands (or paws) on, lay hold (on or of)
Related Words: occupy, usurp, fasten (onto), grasp, latch (onto), snap (at), apprehend, arrest, capture, secure, take over, abduct, carry off, kidnap, spirit (away or off), overtake, afflict

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English Thesaurus: hold, grip, clutch, clasp, get/take hold of something, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

seize W3 /siːz/ verb [transitive]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: saisir 'to take possession of', from Medieval Latin sacire]

1. to take hold of something suddenly and violently Synonym : grab:
Suddenly, he seized my hand.
seize something from somebody
Maggie seized the letter from her.

REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say grab or grab hold of rather than seize:
She grabbed hold of his hand.

2. to take control of a place suddenly and quickly, using military force
seize power/control (of something)
The rebels have seized power.
A group of soldiers seized the airport.

3. if the police or government officers seize something, for example illegal drugs, they take legal possession of it:
160,000 CDs were seized from illegal factories.
All of my assets were seized, including my home.

4. to suddenly catch someone and make sure they cannot get away:
The gunmen were seized at 1 am.

5. seize a chance/an opportunity/the initiative to quickly and eagerly do something when you have the chance to

6. be seized with/by terror/desire etc to suddenly be affected by an extremely strong feeling:
When she saw his face, she was seized by fear.
seize on/upon something phrasal verb
to suddenly become very interested in an idea, excuse, what someone says etc:
His every remark is seized upon by the press.
seize up phrasal verb
a) if an engine or part of a machine seizes up, its moving parts stop working and can no longer move, for example because of lack of oil:
The mechanism had seized up.
b) if a part of your body, such as your back, seizes up, you suddenly cannot move it and it is very painful

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

seize
verb
I. take hold of sb/sth suddenly and firmly
ADV. immediately, suddenly He was immediately seized and thrown into prison.
PREP. by She seized him by the arm.
from He seized the book from her hand.
PHRASES seize hold of sb/sth The wrestlers try to seize hold of each other.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

seize
II. take sth
ADV. immediately, promptly She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.
eagerly, gratefully
VERB + SEIZE be quick to, be ready to He was quick to seize on this idea.
be determined to | attempt to, try to | fail to He had failed to seize his chance.
PREP. on/upon The rumours were eagerly seized on by the local press.
PHRASES an attempt to seize sth

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

hold to have something in your hand, hands, or arms:
Maria came in holding a letter.
Can I hold the baby?
grip to hold something very tightly and not let it go:
He gripped her arm so she couldn’t walk away.
Jenny gripped the side of the boat to steady herself.
clutch to hold something tightly, especially because you do not want to drop or lose it:
A businessman hurried past, clutching his briefcase.
The little girl clutched onto his hand.
clasp written to hold someone or something tightly, closing your fingers or arms around them:
She was clasping a bunch of small summer flowers.
He clasped her in his arms and kissed her.
get/take hold of something to take something in your hand or hands and hold it:
I took hold of the handle and pulled as hard as I could.
Quickly – try and get hold of that frog!
grasp written to take hold of something firmly, especially in a determined way:
She grasped the lowest branch and pulled herself up into the tree.
grab to take hold of something suddenly and often violently:
He grabbed my bag and ran off with it.
The other man grabbed hold of (=suddenly took hold of ) my arms and threatened me with a knife.
seize /siːz/ written to take hold of something suddenly and often violently:
A police officer ran after him and seized the gun.
hang on (to something) to hold on to something or someone tightly to support yourself:
He hung on to the rail at the back of the motorbike.
Hang on tight!
keep hold of something to continue to hold something:
Greg was struggling to keep hold of the dog.
She tried to take her hand away but he kept hold of it.
a tight/firm hold
Rose had a tight hold of her hand.
tighten your hold
Maria winced as Luke tightened his hold on her fingers.
loosen/relax your hold
Laughing, he loosened his hold until she could pull her arms free.
release your hold (=stop holding something)
As soon as his fingers released their hold, Robyn turned and ran.
catch/grab/seize etc hold of something (=start holding something quickly and firmly)
She grabbed hold of the letter and tore it open.
have hold of something (=be holding something)
Nathan had hold of her hand again.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲