Synonyms of abduct

abduct

verb

ab-ˈdəkt 

as in to kidnap

to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully

the gangsters planned to abduct the industrialist's young daughter and demand a huge ransom from her family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kidnap
• capture
• seize
• snatch
• run off with
• impress
• make away with
• waylay
• steal
• make off with
• spirit
• hijack
• crimp
• take
• shanghai
• abscond (with)
• catch
• cop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deliver
• return
• redeem
• rescue
• restore
• ransom

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abduct

Working off a few vague details, Bret begins to imagine a link between Robert and a serial killer known as the Trawler, who has been abducting and torturing young women around Los Angeles. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Former child soldiers describe being abducted by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, shackled and ordered to fire on warplanes and civilians, under threat of beatings or death. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

The father and son are accused of abducting two federal wildlife biologists at gunpoint July 16 at Gumboot Lake Campground in Siskiyou County and holding them during a 15-hour standoff. — Ruyuan Li. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

On Friday, as Haitians received phone alerts warning them to remain vigilant, police said two other foreign nationals had also been abducted for ransom. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026