seizure

13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for seizure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The act of taking something by force or by legal authority.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

capture fit attack episode occupation

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

appropriation takeover

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

confiscation convulsion impounding forfeiture ictus raptus

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The act of taking something by force or by legal authority.

“The seizure of the vessel and its cargo was upheld by the court.”

confiscation capture appropriation convulsion fit attack impounding forfeiture ictus raptus

Opposites

release restitution

2. noun

A sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, often causing convulsions, common in epilepsy.

“She had two seizures in the night and was kept in for observation.”

fit convulsion attack episode

3. noun

The taking of control of a place, position or power, usually suddenly and by force.

“The seizure of the broadcasting station was the first sign of the coup.”

capture takeover occupation

How to use seizure

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

epileptic seizure asset seizure have a seizure

Etymology

From seize plus the noun ending -ure.

Full origin of seizure →

Frequently asked questions

What does “seizure” mean?

The word “seizure” means the act of taking something by force or by legal authority. In plain terms, either the forceful taking of property or control, or a sudden brain-related convulsive episode.

How do you pronounce “seizure”?

“Seizure” is pronounced SEE-zhuh (/ˈsi.ʒɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “seizure” in a sentence?

Here is “seizure” used in a sentence: “Customs officers carried out the seizure of the smuggled goods.”

What part of speech is “seizure”?

“Seizure” is a noun.

Is “seizure” a common word?

“Seizure” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “seizure” have?

“Seizure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of taking something by force or by legal authority.

What is the difference between a seizure and a stroke?

A seizure is a sudden episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, often causing convulsions and commonly associated with epilepsy, while a stroke results from interrupted blood flow to the brain. Though both can cause sudden physical symptoms, their underlying causes are different.

What is the difference between "seizure" in a medical sense and a legal sense?

In a medical sense, a seizure is a sudden episode of abnormal brain activity, often causing convulsions, while in a legal sense, a seizure is the act of taking something by force or by legal authority, such as police seizing property. The two meanings are unrelated despite sharing the same word.

People also searched

release attack fit episode capture occupation takeover appropriation restitution confiscation convulsion forfeiture

Nearby words

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