seize meaning and definition

SEIZE verb

Definition of seize (verb)

1. take hold of; grab
   • "The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize small mammals"
   • synonyms: clutch, prehend
2. take or capture by force
   • "The terrorists seized the politicians"; "The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages"
3. take possession of by force, as after an invasion
   • "the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants"; "The army seized the town"; "The militia captured the castle"
   • synonyms: appropriate, capture, conquer
4. take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
   • "The FBI seized the drugs"; "The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment"; "The police confiscated the stolen artwork"
   • synonyms: attach, confiscate, impound, sequester
5. seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
   • "He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the throne after her husband died"
   • synonyms: arrogate, assume, take over, usurp
6. hook by a pull on the line
   • "strike a fish"
7. affect
   • "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease"
   • synonyms: clutch, get hold of
8. capture the attention or imagination of
   • "This story will grab you"; "The movie seized my imagination"
   • synonyms: grab