confiscate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confiscate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of taking someone's property, usually by authority or law enforcement, often as a penalty or for legal reasons. Example: "The authorities had to confiscate the illegal goods found during the raid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We come by wealth so that it can be in our hands, not in our hearts, and so our hearts cannot be confiscated, no matter what they confiscate.

The Guardian

Today the SFO has powers which allow it to hunt down and confiscate proceeds from criminal activity beyond the sums for which a conviction was secured.

The Guardian - Business

In fact, powers to confiscate additional proceeds of crime, beyond those for which a defendant is convicted, did not become available to the SFO until after the date of the offences for which Nadir was found guilty.

The Guardian - Business

Grants local authorities the power to restrict anti-social public drinking in designated public places and empowers the police to confiscate alcohol in these zones.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thankfully, the TSA was able to spot and confiscate a dangerous water bottle, but not the fake bomb, which was conveniently in the same luggage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Can we really confiscate the modest pay of illegal immigrants?

The Guardian - Opinion

The home secretary has used the royal prerogative 14 times to refuse applications for passports or confiscate them.

The Guardian

In the 21st century, any party that wants to redistribute would have to confiscate wealth, not just income.

The Guardian - Books

However, the twins had barely made it to secondary school in 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power and my family fled to Switzerland, leaving him to confiscate all our possessions including, I suppose, my books by Ury.

The Guardian - Books

Immediately after his jet landed at 1.25pm investigators from the Serious Fraud Office boarded his plane to check, and reportedly confiscate, documents.

The Guardian - Business

The snooper's charter is back too, and the government remains determined to confiscate housing association assets – a move condemned by knowledgeable people on all sides.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confiscate" when referring to the act of legally seizing property or items, especially by an authority or government. For instance, use it when describing the seizure of illegal weapons or contraband.

Common error

Avoid using "confiscate" in casual conversation when a simpler word like "take" or "grab" would suffice. "Confiscate" carries a formal, often legal, connotation.

Linguistic Context

The word "confiscate" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of taking possession of something, typically by someone in authority. According to Ludwig AI, it often describes the seizure of property by legal or official means.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "confiscate" is a verb used to describe the act of taking possession of something, typically by an authority, often due to a violation of rules or laws. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and sees very common usage, especially in news and media contexts. When using "confiscate", ensure it aligns with a formal or legal tone. Less formal synonyms include ""take away"", while more precise alternatives like "impound", "appropriate", or "expropriate" may be preferable in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confiscated

Past tense of "confiscate", highlighting completed action of taking something.

seize

Implies a sudden and forceful taking of something.

impound

Specifically refers to taking something into legal custody, often temporarily.

impounded

Past tense of "impound", highlighting completed action of taking something.

appropriate

Suggests taking something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.

expropriate

Usually refers to a government taking private property for public use.

requisition

Implies a formal demand for something, often by a government or military.

commandeer

To take possession of something, usually temporarily, for military or public use.

sequestrate

To take legal possession of assets until a debt is paid or other claims are satisfied.

forfeit

Lose or surrender something as a penalty for wrongdoing.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the word "confiscate"?

Use "confiscate" when an authority or government legally seizes property, often as a penalty or due to illegal activity. This implies a formal action, such as when customs officials "seize" illegal goods.

What's the difference between "confiscate" and "seize"?

"Confiscate" implies legal authority to take possession, often as a penalty. "Seize" ("seize") can refer to any forceful taking, legal or not. For example, a government might confiscate illegal weapons, while a thief might seize someone's purse.

Are there synonyms for "confiscate" that are less formal?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use "take", "grab", or "snatch" if the situation is less formal. However, in legal or official contexts, "impound", "appropriate", or "expropriate" might be more accurate depending on the exact action.

How do I use "confiscate" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure your sentence clearly indicates who is doing the confiscating and what is being confiscated. For example, "The teacher had to "take away" the student's phone." or "The police will impound the vehicle if it's illegally parked."