seizing

seizing — 動詞

1. to grab something quickly so that it is in your hands or under your control, oft

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

搶走；抓住

快速抓住並獲取控制

to grab something quickly so that it is in your hands or under your control, often before someone else can reach it

例句

Rodrigo seized the letter from the table before anyone else could read it.

Rodrigo 從桌上搶走了那封信，在其他人來不及看之前。

The goalkeeper seized the ball and held it firmly against his chest.

守門員抓住了球，並緊緊抱在胸前。

同義詞
  • grab

    more informal and often faster than seize

  • snatch

    implies taking something away from someone with a quick, sudden movement

反義詞
  • release

    to let go of something you are holding

文法句型

seize + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense emphasises speed and the fact that the object might otherwise be taken by someone else.

常見錯誤

❌She seized his hand and held it for five minutes.' (implies grabbing quickly)
✅She took his hand and held it for five minutes.
💡'seize' suggests a fast, firm grab, not a gentle or prolonged hold.

2. to take control of a place or object by using sudden physical power or military

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

攻佔；奪取

以武力或軍事行動奪取控制權

to take control of a place or object by using sudden physical power or military action

例句

Government forces seized the rebel headquarters after three days of heavy fighting.

政府軍經過三天的激戰後攻佔了叛軍總部。

military context: seize + territory / building

The pirates seized the merchant ship and locked the crew in the hold.

海盜奪取了那艘商船，並將船員鎖在船艙裡。

同義詞
  • capture

    more commonly used for taking a person or place as a military target

  • storm

    specifically means to attack and take a place by rushing in with force

反義詞
  • surrender

    to give up control of a place to an enemy

文法句型

seize + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in military or conflict contexts. The object is typically a place (city, building, ship) or an object that requires force to obtain.

常見錯誤

❌The police seized the stolen wallet.' (this is legal confiscation, not force)
✅The army seized the airport in a surprise attack.
💡use TAKE BY FORCE for military takeover, not for legal confiscation.

3. when police, customs officers, or other legal authorities officially take posses

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

扣押；沒收

官方依法律權限查封物品

when police, customs officers, or other legal authorities officially take possession of goods, property, or documents because they are illegal or linked to a crime

例句

Customs officials seized the smuggled cigarettes at the border checkpoint.

海關官員在邊境檢查站沒收了走私的香菸。

legal context: officials seize + illegal goods

The court ordered the police to seize all assets obtained through the fraud scheme.

法院下令警方扣押透過詐騙計畫獲得的所有資產。

同義詞
  • confiscate

    the most direct synonym for legal/official taking

  • impound

    specifically used for vehicles, documents, or evidence held by authorities

  • forfeit

    suggests losing something as a penalty for breaking a rule

反義詞
  • return

    to give seized property back to its owner

文法句型

seize + noun phrase

用法筆記

Subject is usually a legal authority (police, customs, court). Frequently used in passive constructions when the focus is on the item taken rather than the authority taking it.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher seized my phone.' (usually too dramatic for a classroom context)
✅The teacher confiscated my phone.' or ✅ 'The teacher took my phone away.
💡'seize' in the legal sense sounds overly official for everyday school situations.

4. if a powerful feeling or physical sensation suddenly affects you very strongly,

4.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

突然侵襲

強烈情緒或疼痛突然湧現

if a powerful feeling or physical sensation suddenly affects you very strongly, often leaving you unable to think clearly or act normally

例句

When the lights went out, Eleni was seized by a sudden wave of panic.

燈光熄滅時，Eleni 突然被一陣恐慌襲擊。

passive: be seized by + emotion

The earthquake shook the building and many residents were seized with terror.

地震搖晃建築物時，許多居民陷入了恐懼。

passive: be seized with + emotion

同義詞
  • overwhelm

    similar in meaning but used in both active and passive; a feeling overwhelms someone

  • overcome

    very close in meaning; 'be overcome by emotion' is an alternative phrasing

文法句型

be seized by + emotion

be seized with + emotion

用法筆記

Almost always in the passive voice: 'be seized by/with [emotion or sensation]'. The emotion is typically negative (fear, panic, despair) or intense (desire, rage). Distinguish from sense 1 (TAKE QUICKLY) — here the subject does not act; the emotion acts upon the person.

常見錯誤

❌I seized panic when I saw the results.' (active voice, wrong structure)
✅I was seized with panic when I saw the results.
💡this sense requires the passive pattern 'be seized by/with + emotion'.

seizing — 名詞