Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

seize upon

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.78 in modern English

Syllables: seize upon
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To grasp or take hold of (an object) suddenly, forcibly, or tightly.

verb

To take up, embrace, enact, or turn eagerly to (a plan, idea, ideology, cause, practice, method, etc.); to grasp, understand, and accept quickly; to adopt wholeheartedly or vigorously.

verb

To take possession of or claim (an idea, person, event, etc.) as one's own; to assimilate, absorb, annex, co-opt.

Example Sentences

"The child seized upon the cat's tail as soon as it was within reach."
"I heard her ideas and seized upon them immediately."
"The committee seized upon the new plan at once."
"Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile; he could not tell what this prisoner might do."
"After the controversy of her public statement, she has been the darling of right-wing groups who have seized upon her as the poster child of their cause."

Inflected Forms

seizes upon (present, singular) seizing upon (participle, present) seized upon (participle, past) seized upon (past) seize on (alternative)

Phrases

seize up

Frequently Paired Words

seize up

Synonyms

fasten on hook on latch on

Questions

What does seize upon mean?: To grasp or take hold of (an object) suddenly, forcibly, or tightly.

How to pronounce seize upon

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