kidnapped also kidnaped
ˈkid-ˌnapt 
; kidnapping also kidnaping
; kidnapping also kidnaping
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
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
Our communities face attack after attack—floods and fires fueled by Big Oil, ICE agenda kidnapping our neighbors, congress revoking our healthcare.
—
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
An attorney for the former Hialeah police officer convicted of kidnapping a homeless man urged an appeals court on Tuesday to reverse the ex-cop’s conviction, arguing that his prosecution shouldn’t have occurred because the victim was lawfully arrested.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
In the Season 1 finale, the Game Maker seemed to be two steps ahead of Morgan and Adam, and even kidnapped their beloved coworker Detective Lev Osman (Deniz Akdeniz), horrifyingly leaving him trapped at the bottom of a pool.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Seven Bay Staters were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to kidnap and torture a man earlier this year.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
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Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
An attorney for the former Hialeah police officer convicted of kidnapping a homeless man urged an appeals court on Tuesday to reverse the ex-cop’s conviction, arguing that his prosecution shouldn’t have occurred because the victim was lawfully arrested.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
In the Season 1 finale, the Game Maker seemed to be two steps ahead of Morgan and Adam, and even kidnapped their beloved coworker Detective Lev Osman (Deniz Akdeniz), horrifyingly leaving him trapped at the bottom of a pool.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Seven Bay Staters were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to kidnap and torture a man earlier this year.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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