to confiscate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to confiscate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of taking possession of something, typically by authority or law enforcement, often as a penalty or for legal reasons. Example: "The authorities had no choice but to confiscate the illegal goods found in the warehouse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He had pulled cell phone confiscation duty, not that there were many phones to confiscate.

The New York Times

It later threatened to confiscate them.

The New York Times

The T.S.A. didn't try to confiscate the nine-volt battery.

The New Yorker

The Americans were going to confiscate the pirates' equipment.

The New York Times

They saw them continuing to confiscate territory and increase settlements.

The New Yorker

"You have to confiscate all their ill-gotten gains".

The New York Times

"The F.B.I. wanted to confiscate it," one expert recalled.

The New York Times

Municipal workers cruise the market looking for dogs to confiscate.

The New York Times

People can legislate in other countries to confiscate American assets.

The New Yorker

"One is a sham bag for my parents to confiscate".

The New Yorker

At one point they managed to confiscate an old shotgun.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to confiscate" when you want to convey the idea of taking something away, especially as an official action or punishment.

Common error

Avoid using "to confiscate" when there's no legitimate authority or legal basis for the action. "Taking" or "grabbing" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to confiscate" functions as an infinitive, typically used as a verb to describe the action of taking possession of something by authority. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing actions by schools, law enforcement, and governments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to confiscate" is a versatile infinitive used to describe the act of taking possession, typically by an authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that "to confiscate" implies a legal or official action, distinguishing it from simply "taking" something. For alternatives, consider "to seize" or "to impound", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensure the context aligns with the presence of legitimate authority to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to seize

Focuses on the act of taking possession quickly or forcibly.

to impound

Specifically refers to taking something into legal custody.

to seize possession

Emphasizes the act of taking control or ownership.

to take into custody

Implies taking someone or something into legal detention.

to take control of

Highlights the act of assuming authority or command.

to appropriate

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

to expropriate

Implies the government taking private property for public use.

to commandeer

Suggests taking possession of something, typically for military purposes.

to sequester

Focuses on isolating or setting something apart, often legally.

to assume control

Highlights the act of taking responsibility and management.

FAQs

How do you use "to confiscate" in a sentence?

You can use "to confiscate" in a sentence like: "The teacher had to confiscate the student's phone during class".

What's a synonym for "to confiscate"?

A synonym for "to confiscate" is "to seize", which also means to take possession of something, especially by force or authority.

Is it always legal to confiscate items?

No, the legality of confiscating items depends on the authority's jurisdiction and the specific circumstances. Generally, it must be done according to established laws and procedures.

What is the difference between "to confiscate" and "to steal"?

"To confiscate" implies legal or official authority, while "to steal" means to take something dishonestly and without permission.