confiscate
/'kɔnfiskeit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To take temporary possession of property as security, by legal authority: To officially and legally take something away from someone, often as a penalty or because it is illegal or used in illegal activity. The action is typically carried out by government or law enforcement officials.
Adjective:
- Surrendered as a penalty: Describing property that has been taken away by authority as a form of punishment or legal sanction. This usage is less common than the verb form.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- The police can confiscate your passport if you are suspected of a crime.
- School authorities confiscated the student's phone because he was using it during class.
- The government has the power to confiscate property gained through corruption.
Adjective:
- The confiscate goods were stored in a warehouse as evidence. (Note: This adjectival use is rare; "confiscated" is the standard participial adjective).
Advanced Usage
"to confiscate something from someone": This is the standard prepositional pattern.
- Officials confiscated counterfeit money from the travelers.
Legal Context: The term is strongly associated with legal and official procedures. It implies the seizure is backed by law or regulation, distinguishing it from simple theft.
- Under the new law, the state may confiscate assets linked to terrorist organizations.
Variants and Related Words
Confiscation (n): The act or process of confiscating.
- The confiscation of the smuggled items was completed swiftly.
Confiscated (adj): The common participial adjective.
- The confiscated artwork was returned to its rightful owners years later.
Confiscatory (adj): Relating to or effecting confiscation (often used in economic contexts like "confiscatory taxes").
Synonyms
- Seize: To take hold of suddenly and forcibly. ("Seize" is a very close synonym but can be broader, not always implying a legal penalty).
- Impound: To take legal possession of something, often until a claim is settled or a fine is paid (common for vehicles).
- Appropriate: To take something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission (can be legal or illegal).
- Commandeer: To officially take possession or control of something, especially for military or public use.
Antonyms
- Return: To give back.
- Restore: To bring back to a former condition or owner.
- Release: To set free or allow to keep.
Related Phrases
Subject to confiscation: Legally liable to be taken away.
- Any illegal weapon found is subject to confiscation.
Order of confiscation: A formal legal command authorizing the seizure.
- The judge issued an order of confiscation for the defendant's property.
Adjective
- surrendered as a penalty
Verb
- take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
- The FBI seized the drugs
- The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
- The police confiscated the stolen artwork