Is 'seized' only used for physical objects?

No, it can also be used for opportunities, ideas, or emotions, e.g., 'seized the chance' or 'seized with joy'.

Can 'seized' be used in the present tense?

'Seized' is the past tense; the present tense is 'seize'. However, in passive constructions, 'is seized' can be present, as in 'The goods are seized by customs'.

What is the difference between 'seized' and 'taken'?

'Seized' implies suddenness, force, or authority, whereas 'taken' is more general and neutral.

How is 'seized' pronounced in American English?

It is pronounced /siːzd/, similar to British English, with a long 'ee' sound, though some regional accents may vary slightly.

Is “seized” formal?

Seized is usually formal to neutral in register.

seized: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/siːzd/US/siːzd/

Formal to Neutral

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “seized” mean?

Taken hold of suddenly and forcibly.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Taken hold of suddenly and forcibly.

Captured, confiscated, or taken legal possession of; also, to be affected by a strong emotion or idea.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling is identical.

Connotations

Similarly used in legal, everyday, and figurative contexts in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally common in British and American English.

Grammar

How to Use “seized” in a Sentence

[subject] seized [object][subject] seized up

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

seized by the policeseized the opportunityseized control

medium

seized uponseized quicklyseized assets

weak

seized violentlyseized eagerlyseized from

Examples

Examples of “seized” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The customs officials seized the smuggled goods.
He seized the chance to speak at the meeting.

American English

The authorities seized the illegal shipment.
She seized the opportunity to invest in the startup.

adjective

British English

The seized vehicles were impounded at the port.
Seized documents were used as evidence in the trial.

American English

The seized property was auctioned off by the government.
Seized data was analyzed by the cybersecurity team.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Assets were seized during the bankruptcy proceedings.

Academic

The researcher seized on the anomaly to propose a new theory.

Everyday

She seized the last cookie from the plate.

Technical

The machinery seized due to overheating.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “seized”

Strong

confiscatedapprehendedcommandeered

Neutral

tookgrabbedcaptured

Weak

graspedclutchedsnatched

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “seized”

releasedfreedlet gosurrendered

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “seized”

Confusing 'seized' with 'ceased' (to stop).
Misspelling as 'seised' (an archaic form).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it can also be used for opportunities, ideas, or emotions, e.g., 'seized the chance' or 'seized with joy'.
: 'Seized' is the past tense; the present tense is 'seize'. However, in passive constructions, 'is seized' can be present, as in 'The goods are seized by customs'.
: 'Seized' implies suddenness, force, or authority, whereas 'taken' is more general and neutral.
: It is pronounced /siːzd/, similar to British English, with a long 'ee' sound, though some regional accents may vary slightly.
: Taken hold of suddenly and forcibly.
: Seized is usually formal to neutral in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“seized the day”
“seized with fear”
“seize the moment”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'SEIZED' as 'SEE ZED' – you see something and quickly take it (zed is British for Z, symbolizing action).

Conceptual Metaphor

Taking control or capturing, often used in power dynamics or sudden interventions.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The authorities the contraband at the border.

Multiple Choice

What does 'seized' typically imply in legal contexts?