The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - seize v.

1) Sometimes, seize on. grab, grasp, clutch, take (hold of) , grip, snatch: Robin felt that he had to seize every opportunity that presented itself. The dog seized the robber by the seat of the pants. 2) capture, catch, arrest, take into custody, take prisoner, apprehend, round up, Colloq pinch, nab, collar, pick up, Brit nick, Slang bust: The police seized him as he was trying to leave the country. 3) catch, transfix, stop, hold, possess, take possession of, afflict, beset, visit, subject: I was seized by a sudden desire to kiss those quivering, pouting lips. 4) take advantage of, make good use of: When their attention was diverted, I seized the opportunity to escape. 5) confiscate, take (away) , commandeer, appropriate, capture, take possession of, impound: Ten tons of cannabis was seized in the raid. 6) seize up, bind, jam, stop, lock (up) , stick, freeze (up) : Because of the excessive heat, the gears seized and the engine stalled.