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seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible. seized the suspect. grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession. grasp the handle and pull.
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.
Seized definition: taken hold, possession, or control of, as by force or legal authority; confiscated, captured, or appropriated. See examples of SEIZED used in a sentence.
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.
to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp: to seize a weapon. Synonyms: grab, clutch. to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely: to seize an idea. to take possession of by force or at will: to seize enemy ships. to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold: Panic seized the crowd.
[transitive] seize something (from somebody) to take control of a place or situation, often suddenly and violently. They seized the airport in a surprise attack. The army has seized control of the country. He seized power in a military coup. [transitive] seize somebody to arrest or capture somebody. The men were seized as they left the building.
seize in British English. (siːz ) verb (mainly tr) 1. (also intr; foll by on ) to take hold of quickly; grab. she seized her hat and ran for the bus. 2. (sometimes foll by on or upon) to grasp mentally, esp rapidly. she immediately seized his idea.
seize somebody (of an emotion) to affect someone suddenly and deeply Panic seized her. He was seized by curiosity. Definition of seize verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1. a : to use legal or official power to take (something) Police seized [= confiscated] the weapons and drugs. The bank seized their property. b : to get or take (something) in a forceful, sudden, or violent way. The army has seized control of the city. A rebel group attempted to seize power.
Synonyms for SEIZE: understand, know, recognize, grasp, decipher, see, comprehend, appreciate; Antonyms of SEIZE: miss, misunderstand, misread, misinterpret, mistake, misconstrue, misconceive, misapprehend.
