fear seized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fear seized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of fear that overtakes someone. Example: "As the dark figure approached, fear seized her, leaving her frozen in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Loud voice heard calling "Who's got Compartment Z, Car Two?" Fear seized the guilty pair.

The New Yorker

As primal fear seized the financial system, money suddenly became as difficult to secure as true love on a reality dating show.

The New York Times

Fear seized my body as I realized that if Corey found out I worked for VICE, he'd sic his Super Mega Angel on me and she'd rip my dick off, salt and cure it, and turn it into cock jerky.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Where a plausible case can be made that firms like AIG are fundamentally sound and in danger thanks only to the fear seizing financial markets, it is absolutely clear that Detroit's automakers are failing thanks to their own bad decisions and poor management.

The Economist

Ahmed Rashid, on NPR's Morning Edition, speaking from Lahore, voiced the same fear that seized me when I heard the President be so explicit about 2011: No matter how nuanced the invocation, Pakistani liberals fighting against the Army's hedging strategy of support for the Taliban and Al Qaeda will be demoralized by the use of a specific date.

The New Yorker

The men were within twenty yards of the Federal front line — within ten — and then, suddenly, as if the same fear had seized every heart, the Federals were leaving their works, were running, were throwing their arms away.

University of Chicago

You remember the uncertainty and fear that seized the country.

Huffington Post

One jobless young man, Adam Musayev, 23, said he feared being seized by Russian soldiers whenever he left his house.

The New York Times

As I've seasoned, life and grace unfolds showing me where my decisions, my choices, my beliefs, my fears have seized me up in my life and the relationships that run through it.

Huffington Post

Not teeth-chattering, knee-wobbling scared, but the kind of visceral fear that seizes a man.

The New York Times

And the far-right opportunists who peddle in fear, and seize power in chaos, are only too happy to join in the fun and games.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fear seized" when aiming for a dramatic or literary effect to vividly portray the sudden onset of intense fear. It's particularly effective in narratives or descriptive writing where emotional impact is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "fear seized" in contexts that require a more neutral or understated tone. Overusing dramatic language can diminish its impact and make your writing sound exaggerated or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

"Fear seized" functions as a verb phrase, where "fear" acts as the subject complement, and "seized" is the main verb. It vividly illustrates the sudden and forceful onset of fear. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fear seized" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to depict the sudden and intense onset of fear. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not as common in everyday language, it is effective in literature, news, and formal writing. The phrase leans toward a neutral to formal register, often employed to create a dramatic effect. Alternatives like "terror gripped" or "panic overwhelmed" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Use this phrase when you want to add a dramatic or literary flair to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terror gripped

Replaces "fear" with "terror" for heightened intensity, and "seized" with "gripped" to emphasize a firm hold.

panic overwhelmed

Substitutes "fear" with "panic" indicating a more acute and disorienting fear and replaced "seized" with "overwhelmed" indicating the feeling is overpowering.

dread took hold

Uses "dread" instead of "fear", suggesting a more anticipatory and heavy feeling; "took hold" implies a gradual but firm establishment of fear.

anxiety consumed

Replaces "fear" with "anxiety", portraying a more pervasive and consuming feeling; "consumed" emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the emotion.

alarm surged

Uses "alarm" to denote a sudden and urgent fear; "surged" illustrates a rapid and powerful increase in the feeling.

horror overcame

Replaces "fear" with "horror" for a more extreme and intense feeling; "overcame" suggests being completely overpowered by the emotion.

apprehension arose

Substitutes "fear" with "apprehension", indicating a more subdued and anticipatory feeling; "arose" suggests a gradual emergence of fear.

a wave of fear washed over

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the overwhelming and enveloping nature of the fear, using a metaphorical "wave".

fear took possession

Emphasizes the idea of fear controlling someone, with "took possession" implying a loss of control.

terror descended

Uses "terror" for a stronger emotion and "descended" to suggest an ominous and sudden arrival of fear.

FAQs

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

Use "fear seized" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of fear that someone experiences. For example, "As the lights flickered, "fear seized" her, and she froze in place."

What can I say instead of "fear seized"?

You can use alternatives like "terror gripped", "panic overwhelmed", or "dread took hold" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fear seized" too dramatic for everyday writing?

While grammatically correct, ""fear seized"" has a somewhat dramatic or literary tone. Consider the context and audience; less intense phrasing might be more appropriate for casual or professional settings.

What is the difference between "fear seized" and "fear gripped"?

Both phrases describe the onset of fear, but ""fear seized"" implies a more sudden and overwhelming experience, while "fear gripped" suggests a firmer, more constricting hold.