What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
confiscate
Example
The police confiscated the drugs found in the suspect's car. [confiscated: past tense]
Example
The teacher confiscated the student's phone for using it during class. [confiscate: verb]
impound
Example
The city impounded the car parked illegally on the street. [impounded: past tense]
Example
The animal control officer impounded the stray dog until its owner could be located. [impound: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confiscate is more commonly used than impound in everyday language. Confiscate is often used in news articles or legal contexts, while impound is more specific and used in situations involving vehicles, animals, or collateral.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between confiscate and impound?
Both confiscate and impound are formal words that are typically used in legal or official contexts. However, confiscate may be used in more casual settings when referring to the taking away of someone's possessions as a punishment or consequence.
