seize in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   appropriate  capture  seize  conquer 
   
2. 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"
   assume  usurp  seize  take over  arrogate 
   
3. 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"
   impound  attach  sequester  confiscate  seize 
   
4. affect
   "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease"
   seize  clutch  get hold of 
   
5. 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"
   seize  prehend  clutch 
   
6. capture the attention or imagination of
   "This story will grab you"; "The movie seized my imagination"
   grab  seize 
   
7. take or capture by force
   "The terrorists seized the politicians"; "The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages"
   seize 
   
8. hook by a pull on the line
   "strike a fish"
   seize