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Seized Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘ฎ
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seized

[siหz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

law enforcement

To take hold of suddenly and forcibly; grasp.

Synonyms

grab, grasp, snatch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seized

Used in formal or legal contexts to describe taking something forcefully or suddenly, often by authority or law enforcement. It can have a negative connotation.

  • The police seized the illegal drugs during the raid.
  • His assets were seized by the government.
grab

Informally used to describe taking something quickly and often abruptly. It is less forceful than 'seized' and can be used in both positive and negative situations.

  • I need to grab my coat before we leave.
  • He tried to grab the microphone from her.
snatch

Often used to describe quickly and forcefully taking something, usually with a connotation of theft or stealth. It has a negative connotation.

  • The thief snatched her purse and ran.
  • He snatched the paper out of my hand before I could read it.
grasp

Commonly used to describe holding something firmly, usually with the hands. It can also describe understanding a concept or idea.

  • She grasped the rope tightly as she climbed.
  • He finally grasped the importance of the lesson.

Examples of usage

  • He seized the criminal before he could escape.
  • The police seized the drugs during the raid.
Context #2 | Verb

control

To take possession of by force or legal authority.

Synonyms

acquire, appropriate, confiscate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seized

When you want to emphasize that something was taken suddenly and often forcefully, typically by an authority or in a legal context.

  • The police seized the counterfeit goods during the raid
  • The government seized the property of the convicted criminal
confiscate

When something is taken away by an authority, often permanently, as a penalty or for legal reasons.

  • The teacher confiscated the student's phone for using it during class
  • Customs officials have the right to confiscate banned items
appropriate

When something is taken or allocated for a specific use, often by someone in authority. Can have a negative connotation if implying misuse.

  • The funds were appropriated to build a new school
  • He was accused of appropriating company funds for personal use
acquire

When you want to indicate obtaining something over time, usually through effort or purchase, without any implication of force.

  • She acquired a lot of valuable experience during her internship
  • He managed to acquire a large collection of rare books

Examples of usage

  • The government seized the property for unpaid taxes.
  • The dictator seized power in a coup.
Context #3 | Verb

emotion

To affect suddenly and powerfully; overwhelm.

Synonyms

affect, grip, overwhelm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
seized

Usually used to describe the act of taking control of something quickly and forcefully, often in a sudden and unexpected manner.

  • The police seized the stolen goods from the thief
  • He seized the opportunity to speak with the CEO
overwhelm

Often describes being completely overcome or overpowered by something, whether it is emotions, tasks, or forces, with a slightly negative connotation.

  • She was overwhelmed by the amount of work she had to complete
  • The team was overwhelmed by the strength of their opponents
grip

Often used to describe physically holding something tightly, but can also refer to a strong emotional or mental hold.

  • He gripped the rope tightly while climbing
  • The movie had the audience in its grip from start to finish
affect

Typically used to describe the impact or influence something has on another thing, especially in terms of changing or altering it.

  • The new law will greatly affect how businesses operate
  • Her speech affected the audience deeply

Examples of usage

  • She was seized by a sudden sense of panic.
  • He was seized with grief upon hearing the news.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Terminology

  • In law, 'seized' refers to when authorities take possession of property or assets, often in cases of wrongdoings.
  • Seizing can occur in criminal cases when evidence must be collected to ensure it isn't lost.
  • The term is important in discussions of property rights and the limits of governmental power.

Literature

  • In classic literature, the concept of being 'seized' often relates to characters being taken over by emotions, thoughts, or fate.
  • Prominent writers like Shakespeare used variations of the word to depict characters' struggles and dramatic changes.
  • The phrase โ€˜seized with terrorโ€™ suggests a sudden and overwhelming feeling, illustrating human experiences vividly.

Psychology

  • Psychologists describe moments of being 'seized' by intense emotions, which can lead to impulsive decisions.
  • The concept is related to cognitive science when discussing how thoughts can 'seize' control of our mental space.
  • This term connects well with discussions about anxiety and panic, where individuals feel suddenly overwhelmed.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'seized' has appeared in many songs and movies, often emphasizing intense moments of action or conflict.
  • In gaming, characters may use 'seize' to signify taking control of a territory or a powerful item.
  • Popular narratives often feature plots where characters make drastic choices, illustrating the theme of seizing opportunities or challenges.

Origin of 'seized'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'seisir', meaning 'to take or hold'.
  • Rooted in the Latin word 'sedeo', meaning 'to sit' or 'to be', which transformed in meaning over centuries.
  • It has been used in English since the 14th century, showing a long history of its use in varied contexts.

The word 'seized' originates from the Latin word 'sฤ“cฤre' meaning 'to cut'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of taking hold of something abruptly or forcibly. In legal contexts, 'seized' refers to the act of taking possession of property by authority. The word has been used in various languages and contexts throughout history, often associated with acts of control or sudden impact.

See also: seize, seizing, seizure, unseized.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,834, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.