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
One story highlighted in the lawsuit is that of an 18-year-old Honduran migrant whose father was murdered and sister was kidnapped in her home country.
—
Armando Garcia, ABC News, 9 May 2024
An on-duty Memphis police officer kidnapped a man, shot him in the head and unsuccessfully tried getting rid of his body more than three years ago, federal prosecutors said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap 
Armando Garcia, ABC News, 9 May 2024
An on-duty Memphis police officer kidnapped a man, shot him in the head and unsuccessfully tried getting rid of his body more than three years ago, federal prosecutors said.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 16 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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