English verb: seize | |||
1. | seize (contact) take hold of; grab | ||
Samples | 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 | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | get hold of, take | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | apprehend, arrest, capture, catch, catch, clasp, claw, clench, clinch, collar, collar, cop, get, grab, grab, grapple, grip, grip, nab, nab, nail, pick up, rack, snap, snatch, snatch up, take hold of | ||
2. | seize (contact) take or capture by force | ||
Samples | The terrorists seized the politicians. The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | get hold of, take | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | abduct, commandeer, highjack, hijack, kidnap, nobble, pirate, raven, snatch, wrest | ||
3. | seize (possession) take possession of by force, as after an invasion | ||
Samples | The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants. The army seized the town. The militia captured the castle. | ||
Synonyms | appropriate, capture, conquer | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s something from somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | arrogate, assume, seize, take over, usurp | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | carry | ||
4. | seize (possession) take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority | ||
Samples | The FBI seized the drugs. The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment. The police confiscated the stolen artwork. | ||
Synonyms | attach, confiscate, impound, sequester | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | take | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | condemn, distrain, garnish, garnishee | ||
Verb group | sequester | ||
5. | seize (possession) seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession | ||
Samples | 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 | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | take | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | annex, appropriate, capture, conquer, hijack, preoccupy, raid, seize | ||
6. | seize (contact) hook by a pull on the line | ||
Samples | Strike a fish. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | hook | ||
7. | seize (cognition) affect | ||
Samples | Fear seized the prisoners. The patient was seized with unbearable pains. He was seized with a dreadful disease. | ||
Synonyms | clutch, get hold of | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | overcome, overpower, overtake, overwhelm, sweep over, whelm | ||
8. | seize (cognition) capture the attention or imagination of | ||
Samples | This story will grab you. The movie seized my imagination. | ||
Synonyms | grab | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | fascinate, intrigue | ||