kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping

transitive verb

: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnappee noun
or kidnapee
kidnapper noun
or less commonly kidnaper

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web Hamas regularly cites protecting al-Aqsa as a justification for its attacks, including the Oct. 7 raid on Israeli towns, where fighters killed around 1,200 people, Israeli authorities say, and kidnapped 253 others. Sufian Taha, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 In 2021, at least at least 140 students were kidnapped by armed men from a private secondary school. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Others called for the return of the rest of the Israeli hostages kidnapped that day, some of whom are women. Becky Sullivan, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 This is in addition to surviving an attack by a serial rapist (who, it should be noted, also kidnapped her son) and then facing a mudslide caused by a dam break on her very first day back on the job. Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 He was born in Roman Britain and kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 In January, the country saw its most violent month in two years after 1,100 people were killed, injured or kidnapped. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024 One of the Caribbean prison escapees who allegedly kidnapped an American couple during a violent yacht hijacking is seen in a video handcuffed and bloodied as law enforcement throws him in the back of a truck. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2024 Then, shortly before Election Day in 2020, prosecutors announced charges against more than a dozen men accused in connection with a plot to kidnap her and possibly kill her. Mitch Smith, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kidnap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidnap was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near kidnap

Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping
-ˌnap-iŋ
: to carry away a person by unlawful force or by fraud and against his or her will
kidnapper noun
also kidnaper
-ˌnap-ər

Legal Definition

kidnap

transitive verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping or kidnaping
-ˌna-piŋ
: to seize and confine or carry away by force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnapper noun
or kidnaper
-ˌna-pər
Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief

More from Merriam-Webster on kidnap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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