Synonyms for confiscate
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
1. Steal
take, steal, commandeer, expropriate, rob, usurp, requisition, appropriate, arrogate
Other
Definitions
- v. 1
To use one's authority to lay claim to and separate a possession from its holder.
In schools, it is common for teachers to confiscate electronic games and other distractions.
Forms
- Past participle
- confiscated
e.g. confiscated → taken, commandeered, expropriated, rob'd…
Example sentences
- steal I didn't steal it. I just borrowed it permanently.
- rob Your assumptions may rob someone of their dignity.
- commandeer A man with a gun attempted to commandeer the bus.
- expropriate We need to expropriate the collaborators in order to fill the war chest back up.
- seize You have to seize the opportunity with both hands.
- impound The impound lot was near the police station.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| confiscate | rising | |
| steal | rising | |
| rob | rising | |
| commandeer | rising | |
| expropriate | falling | |
| seize | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- rob1
- 4 letters
- take1
- 5 letters
- steal1, seize1, usurp2
- 6 letters
- attach2
- 7 letters
- impress2, condemn2, impound2
- 8 letters
- arrogate3, distrain
- 9 letters
- sequester3
- 10 letters
- commandeer3
- 11 letters
- appropriate4, requisition4, expropriate4, sequestrate
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (usurp2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- confisquer
- Italiano
- confiscare
- Español
- confiscar
- Català
- confiscar