Words / B2

KONF-isk-ayt/ˈkɒnfɪskeɪt/

To confiscate is to take something away officially as a punishment or because it is forbidden: confiscate a phone; confiscated goods. Seize is a close twin; steal is a crime by a thief. Staff may confiscate a phone in an exam; log it. Mix-up: confuse (already in the dictionary); contribute. Do not write confiscate for borrowing with permission.

Meaning

To take something away officially as a punishment or because it is forbidden.

Examples

• “Staff may confiscate a phone in an exam; log it, the handbook said.”
• “Customs confiscated the counterfeit notes, which is the official-seize sense.”

Good to know

confiscate + object; confiscated. Close: seize. Trap: confuse. Exams, news, and citizenship. Take away officially, not merely “borrow”.

Near in meaning

seize

New