confiscate
Take by authority
To confiscate is to take possession of something by authority, typically as a penalty or for security reasons.
Teachers confiscate phones, customs agents confiscate contraband, governments confiscate assets.
The word implies official power—a thief steals, but a principal confiscates: The guard confiscated my water bottle at the gate.
Take suddenly, forcibly
- impoundSeize by authority
- commandeerSeize for official purposes
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
- takeCapture or filmed segment
grab · snatch · wrest · capture · secure · apprehend · nab · snare
Seize by authority
- sequesterSet apart, isolate
- garnishDecorative food topping
- levyCompulsory government charge
- attachJoin or connect
distrain · repossess · escheat · injunction · warrant · seizure · forfeiture · contraband
Seize for state use
- nationalizeTransfer to state ownership
- dispossessDeprive of property
- requisitionFormal order for supplies
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
takeover · deprive · divest · commandeer · usurp · eminent domain · annexation · government takeover
Punishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- fineAcceptable in quality
- disciplinaryRelated to enforcing rules
deterrent · retribution · punitive · consequences · reprimand · detention · suspension · prohibited items
Lose through violation
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- relinquishVoluntarily give up control
- yieldProduce or relinquish
- loseFail to keep
forfeiture · sacrifice · waive · cede · penalty · contraband · proceeds · assets
Compel obedience to
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
power · regulation · oversight · sanction · directive · police · customs · border
Take back possession
- recoverRegain health or possession
- retrieveGet something back
- repossessSeize for unpaid debt
- returnGo back again
restoration · restitution · reacquisition · regain · recapture · salvage · replevin · recoup
seize
Take suddenly, forcibly
- impoundSeize by authority
- commandeerSeize for official purposes
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
take · grab · snatch · wrest · capture · secure · apprehend · nab · snare · trap
impound
Seize by authority
attach · distrain · repossess · escheat · injunction · warrant · seizure · forfeiture · contraband · evidence
expropriate
Seize for state use
- nationalizeTransfer to state ownership
- dispossessDeprive of property
- requisitionFormal order for supplies
appropriate · takeover · deprive · divest · commandeer · usurp · eminent domain · annexation · government takeover · property seizure
penalty
Punishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- fineAcceptable in quality
disciplinary · deterrent · retribution · punitive · consequences · reprimand · detention · suspension · prohibited items · contraband
forfeit
Lose through violation
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- relinquishVoluntarily give up control
- yieldProduce or relinquish
lose · forfeiture · sacrifice · waive · cede · penalty · contraband · proceeds · assets · property
enforce
Compel obedience to
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
command · power · regulation · oversight · sanction · directive · police · customs · border · official
reclaim
Take back possession
return · restoration · restitution · reacquisition · regain · recapture · salvage · replevin · recoup · take back
- phone confiscationTemporary taking of mobile
- confiscated itemsGoods legally taken away
- passport confiscationTaking someone's travel papers
- property confiscationLegal seizure of belongings
confiscation, confiscated, confiscating, confiscates, confiscations, confiscators, confiscatory, confiscatable, reconfiscate