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Definition of confiscate

confiscate

/ˈkɒn.fɪ.skeɪt/
con · fis · cate
Adjective:confiscatory
•
Past Simple:confiscated
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Past Participle:confiscated
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Present Participle:confiscating
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confiscate Lexical Profile

confiscate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To take or seize someone's property with official authority, typically as a penalty or for security reasons.

Example

"The teacher had to confiscate the student's phone after it rang twice during the final exam."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Having been seized or forfeited to the public treasury or an authority (archaic or legal).

Example

"By decree of the crown, the rebel nobleman's estates were declared confiscate."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

confirmed
confirmer
confiscatable
confiscate
confiscation
confiscator
confit

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from the Latin past participle 'confiscatus' (from 'confiscare', meaning to lay up in a chest or seize for the public treasury), derived from 'con-' (together) and 'fiscus' (a woven basket or money bag used by Roman officials to hold public revenue).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Confiscate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/confiscate
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