seize
To grab something suddenly and firmly.
seize in a sentence
- The eagle swooped down to seize the fish from the river.
- Seize your chance to shine when the spotlight is on you.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to seize?
- Agrab
- Brelease
- Cfree
- Ddrop
Show the answer
A: grab. The other three mean the opposite of seize.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to seize?
- Arelease
- Bsnatch
- Cgrab
- Dgrasp
Show the answer
A: release. The other three mean nearly the same as seize.
Words that mean something similar
grab, snatch, grasp
Words that mean the opposite
release, free, drop
More words about movement & action
- sever: To cut something completely in two or break it off.
- shudder: To shake suddenly because you are cold, scared or disgusted; or that sudden shake.
- simmer: To cook gently with small bubbles, or to be quietly full of anger.
- skirmish: A short small fight between two groups.
- sluggish: Moving slowly and without energy.
- snare: A trap for catching animals, or to catch something in a trap.
- stealthy: Moving quietly and secretly so nobody notices you.
- stifle: To stop something from coming out, such as a laugh or a yawn.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test