seize
gb/sˈiz/ us/sˈiz/
B1
English
~ 3900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Take hold suddenly and firmly
To grab something quickly and strongly.
Usage pattern:
to seize [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'seize' with 'see' because of similar pronunciation, but they have very different meanings.
Synonyms
grab (More general and less forceful; can be casual or accidental.)
Antonyms
release (To let go of something held.)
Collocations
seize control
|seize power
|seize the opportunity
|seize a weapon
|seize a chance
Themes
law
|crime
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police seized the suspect's arm before he could run.
- She seized the rope and pulled herself up.
- Security guards seized the intruder at the gate.
- He seized her hand to stop her from falling.
Learner examples
- I seized the ball from his hands.
- The man seized my bag.
- She seized the cat before it ran away.
- The guard seized him at the door.
Verb
B2
action
2
Take control by force or law
To take control of something by using force or law.
Usage pattern:
to seize [property/power/control]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'cease', which means to stop.
Synonyms
confiscate (Specifically refers to taking away property by authority, often permanently.)
Antonyms
surrender (To give up control or possession willingly.)
Collocations
seize property
|seize assets
|seize power
|seize control
Themes
law
|politics
|crime
Examples
- The army seized control of the capital.
- Customs officers seized hundreds of counterfeit goods.
- The rebels seized the radio station.
- Police seized his passport at the airport.
Learner examples
- The police seized the stolen car.
- They seized power after the election.
- The bank seized the house for nonpayment.
- Officers seized illegal drugs from the truck.
Verb
B2
action
3
Take an opportunity quickly
To quickly use a chance to do something.
Usage pattern:
to seize [the chance/opportunity/moment]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse literal and figurative uses; here it is figurative.
Synonyms
grab (Can be more casual; often used for both physical and figurative opportunities.)
Antonyms
miss (To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.)
Collocations
seize the chance
|seize the moment
|seize an opportunity
Themes
motivation
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She seized the chance to travel abroad.
- You should seize any opportunity to learn new skills.
- They seized the moment and asked for a raise.
Learner examples
- I will seize this chance to speak to her.
- He seized the moment to tell his story.
- We must seize every opportunity to help.
Verb
technical
C1
event
4
Stop moving due to mechanical failure
When a machine stops working because parts are stuck together.
Usage pattern:
[machine/engine] seizes (up)
Synonyms
jam (General term for mechanical stoppage; not necessarily due to heat or friction.)
Antonyms
run smoothly (To operate without problems.)
Collocations
engine seizes up
|seized motor
Themes
technology
|engineering
|work
Examples
- The engine seized after running without oil.
- If the gears seize, the whole system will fail.
- The pump motor seized up during operation.
Learner examples
- My bike wheel seized up on the hill.
- The car engine seized because there was no oil.
- The machine seized during use.
Grammar
Dictionary form
seize
IPA
GB/sˈiz/
US/sˈiz/
Syllables & stress
seize (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (seize)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: seize
- 3rd Person Singular: seizes
- Present Participle: seizing
- Past: seized
Word family
Forms
seizes
verb
seizing
verb
seized
verb
Core family
seizure
noun B2
Expressions
seize on/upon [something]
1/sˈiz ənəpən sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Exploit a point or remark quickly
To quickly use an idea or remark for your own purpose.
Examples
- The media seized on his comment as evidence of bias.
- She seized upon his hesitation to make her point.
seize the day
1/sˈiz ðə dˈeɪ/
idiom
Make the most of today
To enjoy life and do things now instead of waiting for later.
Examples
- You only live once, so seize the day!
- She decided to seize the day and book a trip abroad.
seize up
1/sˈiz ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Stop working due to jamming
When a machine or part stops moving because parts are stuck together.
Examples
- The old engine seized up on the highway.
- My knee seized up after running too far.