seize
verb.
take hold of; grab
The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter|She clutched her purse|The mother seized her child by the arm|Birds of prey often seize small mammals
Synonym: clutch, prehend
verb.
take or capture by force
The terrorists seized the politicians|The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
verb.
take possession of by force, as after an invasion
the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants|The army seized the town|The militia captured the castle
Synonym: conquer, capture, appropriate
verb.
take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
The FBI seized the drugs|The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment|The police confiscated the stolen artwork
Synonym: sequester, impound, confiscate, attach
verb.
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town|he usurped my rights|She seized control of the throne after her husband died
Synonym: arrogate, assume, take over, usurp
verb.
hook by a pull on the line
strike a fish
verb.
affect
Fear seized the prisoners|The patient was seized with unbearable pains|He was seized with a dreadful disease
Synonym: clutch, get hold of
verb.
capture the attention or imagination of
This story will grab you|The movie seized my imagination
Synonym: grab