be seized with fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be seized with fear' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe someone feeling a sudden and strong sense of fear. For example, the child was suddenly seized with fear when they saw the dark figure standing in the corner of the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The new rich communities and older affluent enclaves closer to the city were seized with fear over the weekend after a rash of looting Friday night.

The New York Times

From his hospital room he told Ren-TV that he was seized with fear that the man would shoot him and turned to run away.

The New York Times

Most of all, Émilie is seized with fear that she will never finish her French translation, with commentary, of Newton's "Principia Mathematica," and shaken with premonitions of death.

The New York Times - Arts

Contrary to what pop culture might have you believe, not all grooms are seized with fear and doubts on their wedding days.

Huffington Post

"I was seized with awe.

The New Yorker

Patients are seized with a fear of death and the emptiness of life.

BMC Palliative Care

Their journey zigzagged through Islamist-ruled rebel areas and towns wracked by fighting, finally taking them through the outskirts of Damascus, where people were seized with new fears of impending American missile strikes.

The New York Times

I'm seized with wonderment and fear, too scared to jump past the deathly gas geysers puncturing a rickety rope bridge.

Vice

Among adherents of indigenous religions, even if the prayer of request is predominant, they are seized with the feeling of fear and trembling before the numen (spiritual power) of all that is mana (endowed with the power of the sacred or holy) or taboo (forbidden because of association with the sacred).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was seized with sharp emotion.

The New Yorker

Trump was seized with this issue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be seized with fear" to depict a sudden, intense emotional response to a specific event or situation, often implying a loss of control or rational thought. For example, "The hiker was seized with fear when he encountered a bear on the trail."

Common error

Avoid using "be seized with fear" in contexts where 'seized' literally means 'taken' or 'confiscated'. The phrase is specific to emotional experiences and should not be confused with legal or physical actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be seized with fear" functions as a descriptive idiom. It vividly portrays a sudden and intense experience of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The examples show the phrase modifying a subject to indicate the emotional state.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be seized with fear" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict a sudden and intense onset of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, although it's relatively rare in occurrence. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific writing, the phrase conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by fear, suitable for describing strong emotional reactions. Alternatives include "be gripped by terror" or "be overcome with dread", each carrying slightly different nuances. Use this phrase when you want to emphasize the sudden and overpowering nature of fear, but be mindful of misapplications in non-emotional, literal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience intense fear

A more direct and less figurative way of expressing the same sentiment.

be petrified with fear

Suggests an extreme level of fear, almost turning the person to stone.

be gripped by terror

Suggests a more intense and immobilizing fear than the original phrase.

be struck with panic

Highlights the sudden and overwhelming nature of the fear experienced.

be overcome with dread

Emphasizes a feeling of impending doom, slightly stronger than a simple feeling of fear.

feel a surge of fear

Highlights the sudden and powerful onset of the feeling of fear.

be paralyzed by fear

Emphasizes the immobilizing effect of extreme fear.

be filled with apprehension

Implies a more anticipatory and anxious fear about something in the future.

be consumed by anxiety

Focuses on the pervasive and all-encompassing nature of the fear.

be in a state of alarm

Indicates a general sense of worry or fright about potential danger.

FAQs

How can I use "be seized with fear" in a sentence?

Use "be seized with fear" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of fear that overwhelms someone. For example, "She "was seized with fear" when she heard the unexpected noise."

What can I say instead of "be seized with fear"?

You can use alternatives like "be overcome with dread", "be gripped by terror", or "be struck with panic" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "be seized with fear" or "be filled with fear"?

"Be seized with fear" suggests a more sudden and intense onset of fear, while "be filled with fear" implies a more pervasive and lingering feeling. The better choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "be seized with fear" and "be afraid"?

"Be afraid" is a general term for feeling fear. "Be seized with fear" describes a more acute and overwhelming experience of fear, often implying a loss of control.