seize

/si:z/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
seize

The detective's deduction seized the attention of the entire room.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To take hold of suddenly or forcibly; to grab: To grasp something quickly and with force.
    • To take possession of by legal authority or force: To confiscate or capture something, often through official power or aggressive action.
    • To capture or overwhelm: To affect someone suddenly and powerfully, as with an emotion, idea, or sensation.
Usage
  • To take hold forcibly:
  • To take control or possession:
  • To affect suddenly:
Examples
  • Taking hold:
  • Taking control:
  • Being affected:
Advanced Usage
  • "Seize the day" (idiom): To make the most of the present moment; to take advantage of current opportunities.
    • After his recovery, he decided to seize the day and travel the world.
  • "Seize upon/on": To take eager advantage of an idea, opportunity, or mistake.
    • The media seized on the politician's minor error.
  • "Seize up": (Of a machine or part of the body) to become stuck or jammed, preventing movement.
    • The engine seized up due to a lack of oil.
Variants and Related Words
  • Seizure (n): The act of seizing; a sudden attack, as of an illness.
    • The court ordered the seizure of the property.
    • He suffered an epileptic seizure.
Synonyms
  • Grab: To take hold of something quickly.
  • Confiscate: To take possession of something by authority.
  • Capture: To take control of something by force.
  • Clutch: To grasp or hold tightly.
Phrasal Verbs
  • Seize on/upon: To adopt or make use of something eagerly.
    • She seized upon the chance to lead the project.
  • Seize up: To stop moving or functioning because parts have become stuck.
    • My back seizes up if I sit for too long.
Related Idioms
  • Seize the initiative: To take action to gain an advantage before others do.
    • The company seized the initiative by launching the product first.
  • Seize power: To take control of a government, often by force.
    • The general led a coup to seize power.
seize

The detective's deduction seized the attention of the entire room.

Verb
  1. capture the attention or imagination of
    • This story will grab you
    • The movie seized my imagination
  2. affect
    • Fear seized the prisoners
    • The patient was seized with unbearable pains
    • He was seized with a dreadful disease
  3. hook by a pull on the line
    • strike a fish
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. take or capture by force
    • The terrorists seized the politicians
    • The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
  8. 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