1
as in understood
to have a clear idea of
a critic with a sharp intellect that is able to seize the most subtle nuances of a work of art
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
seized the leaders of one of the city's major drug rings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grabbed
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
seized the escaping balloon just before it got out of reach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in confiscated
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
Richard III seized the English throne from his brother Edward in 1483
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of seized
The tension spilled into election issues, including accusations that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized ballots in a voter‑fraud investigation, now at the center of a legal fight with the state attorney general.
—
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
Hardly a surprise But, in truth, that’s the way soccer has been going for a long time – its popularity seized upon by people looking to make ever more millions and billions.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Agents with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) seized the sailboat Soulmate, which belongs to Brian and Lynette Hooker, 40 nautical miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida, according to a news release.
—Adam Sabes , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
An office complex in Oakland has been seized by its lender through a foreclosure that serves as a disquieting reminder that financial setbacks continue to haunt commercial properties in the East Bay’s largest city.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, did not explicitly refer to the tanker seized on Thursday.
—Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe also confirmed to the outlet that zinc phosphide was detected in the watermelon sample collected during the investigation, but not in any other food items seized from the home.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Police and animal control officers returned to the home and seized both cats, McKay said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2026
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
Hardly a surprise But, in truth, that’s the way soccer has been going for a long time – its popularity seized upon by people looking to make ever more millions and billions.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Agents with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) seized the sailboat Soulmate, which belongs to Brian and Lynette Hooker, 40 nautical miles off the coast of Melbourne, Florida, according to a news release.
—Adam Sabes , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
An office complex in Oakland has been seized by its lender through a foreclosure that serves as a disquieting reminder that financial setbacks continue to haunt commercial properties in the East Bay’s largest city.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
The spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, did not explicitly refer to the tanker seized on Thursday.
—Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe also confirmed to the outlet that zinc phosphide was detected in the watermelon sample collected during the investigation, but not in any other food items seized from the home.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Police and animal control officers returned to the home and seized both cats, McKay said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seized
Verb
-
The three-year varsity starter understood the assignment.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
There were people who understood and were entertained in a positive way.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Police said Suarez was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Jessica Moncallo, 30, was arrested and booked into the Dawson County Jail on May 11 in connection with a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 16-year-old driver on April 15 on County Road 18, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a press release on Tuesday, May 12.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Becerra blunder The first ad that grabbed my attention was a quick-turn by San José Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan (still stuck in single-digit polling numbers), who jumped on Xavier Becerra’s first major mess-up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Others were placed under house arrest, harassed or subject to extensive surveillance, or had their passports confiscated, according to prior NPR reporting and the findings of the United Nations and rights groups.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Her family’s money was confiscated; her favorite uncle, Otto, was murdered by the Nazis; shrapnel lodged in Hepburn’s neck, giving it its beguiling tilt.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The girls were aware they were being viewed and knew the reasons why; they were made more special than any other and the world wanted to experience such a treasure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
The indictment alleges Lineberger knew that transmitting the material outside the DOJ violated court orders and could interfere with the administration of the underlying prosecution.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Orjuela was apprehended while attempting to flush several hundred grams of fentanyl down a toilet, court records show.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
-
Mezzetti said the suspect was apprehended after other people intervened.—
Claire Bower,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The Giants have not won at home in Week 1 since Hakeem Nicks caught three touchdown passes in a 2010 win over the Carolina Panthers.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
-
Steyer backers Speaking of money, the second ad (or sort-of ad) that caught my attention is tied to Steyer, the billionaire who has spent more than $100 million of his own money in this race.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Cal Raleigh stole 14 as a big-bodied catcher.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
Duran led off with a walk and stole his 10th base of the season to put himself in easy scoring position for Contreras’ one-out RBI single.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seized. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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