Cool MateArrest vs Seize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arrest
FormalTop 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Seize
Top 1,000 (very common)C1verb
Most formal: Arrest
| Arrest | Seize | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈrest/","/əˈrests/","/əˈrestɪd/","/əˈrestɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/siːz/","/ˈsiːzɪz/","/siːzd/","/ˈsiːzɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. | To take something quickly or suddenly. |
| Example | The police decided to arrest the suspect after gathering enough evidence. | The police decided to seize the stolen goods as evidence in the case. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | arrest someone, arrest warrant, arrest for theft, arrest on suspicion | immediately, suddenly, by, from, seize hold of somebody/something, immediately, suddenly, by, from, seize hold of somebody/something, immediately, instantly, quickly, be quick to, be ready to, be determined to, on, upon, an attempt to seize something, the power to seize something, the right to seize something, immediately, instantly, quickly, be quick to, be ready to, be determined to, on, upon, an attempt to seize something, the power to seize something, the right to seize something |
| Antonyms | release, free | release, let go |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'detain' which means to hold someone temporarily., Using it without an object, such as saying 'He was arrested' instead of 'They arrested him.', Misusing the term for non-legal situations. | Confused with 'cease' which means to stop., Using 'seize' with wrong tenses, e.g. saying 'seized' when meaning present tense., Mistakenly using it without an object, e.g. saying 'I seize' instead of 'I seize the opportunity'. |
| Usage notes | Used primarily in legal contexts. Avoid using in casual conversation unless discussing crime or law topics. Can sound too serious for light discussions. | Use 'seize' when talking about taking control or possession of something. It can be used in legal contexts or to describe capturing opportunities. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Arrest vs Seize
What's the difference between Arrest and Seize?
Arrest: To taken someone by the police because they think they did something wrong. Seize: To take something quickly or suddenly.
Which is more formal: Arrest and Seize?
Arrest is the most formal of these.
Are Arrest and Seize the same CEFR level?
Arrest: B1, Seize: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Arrest and Seize interchangeably?
Not always. Arrest and Seize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.