kidnap

1 of 2

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt  ; 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

ˌkid-ˌna-ˈpē 

kidnapper noun

or less commonly kidnaper

kidnappee

2 of 2

noun

kid·​nap·​pee

variants or kidnapee

ˌkidˌnaˈpē 

plural -s

: a person who has been kidnapped

Synonyms of kidnap

Verb

• abduct

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

Verb

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

He was found not guilty of kidnapping his ex but was convicted of domestic battery by strangulation. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

When Martín is kidnapped by a monster, Cleo ventures into the jungle to rescue him, aided by an elderly witch and a naughty anteater. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 July 2026

His successor was kidnapped by an adversary and never seen again. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

In Enola Holmes 3, Enola seems to be getting her happy ending by marrying Lord Tewkesbury, but the plan is disrupted by news that Sherlock has been kidnapped. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kidnap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kneecap
• madcap
• mayhap

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt  ; 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 

kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt  ; 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

Transitive verb

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