abduct

verb

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ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt

, əb-; sense 2 also ˈab-ˌdəkt

abducted; abducting; abducts

Definition of abduct

transitive verb

1 : to seize and take away (a person) by force The girl was abducted by kidnappers.

2 : to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb a muscle that abducts the arm

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Examples of abduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Reports over the years have claimed Kony was hiding in Sudan's Darfur region or in a remote corner of Central African Republic, where LRA fighters continued to kill and abduct in occasional raids on villages, and where Ongwen was arrested in 2015. — Mike Corder, Star Tribune, "ICC convicts Ugandan rebel commander of war crimes," 4 Feb. 2021 Two years before the murder, he was charged with trying to abduct a schoolgirl who stood less than 5 feet. — BostonGlobe.com, "A special kind of evil," 1 Feb. 2021 After six members of the group were charged in October with plotting to abduct Ms. Whitmer, one of Mr. Trump’s most vocal opponents, the president insulted her and reiterated that the left posed the true threat. — New York Times, "How Trump’s Focus on Antifa Distracted Attention From the Far-Right Threat," 30 Jan. 2021 Bobbie Jo Stinnett was a 23-year-old wife and mother to be when Montgomery hatched an evil plot to brutally murder her and abduct her unborn child. — Madeleine Kearns, National Review, "Lisa Montgomery Does Not Deserve Special Treatment," 11 Jan. 2021 He was arrested nearly two months later, after attempting to abduct another girl. — John Caniglia, cleveland, "Ohio inmate who survived execution attempt for killing 14-year-old girl in Cleveland dies of coronavirus," 30 Dec. 2020 Larson trolled the girl online and then flew from from his home in Virginia to Fresno in order to abduct her, authorities told Fox News. — Robert Gearty, Fox News, "California authorities rescue girl, 12, from pedophile who ran for Congress," 20 Dec. 2020 Gangs in the area are known to abduct people for ransom. — Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, "Boko Haram claims the kidnapping of 300 boys in Nigeria, marking an alarming move west," 15 Dec. 2020 Berens on Tuesday denied bond for three other men charged with planning to abduct Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. — chicagotribune.com, "Federal judge finds enough evidence to move toward trial of 5 Michigan men accused of plotting to kidnap governor," 16 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abduct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

21 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for abduct

abduct

verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt

abducted; abducting

Kids Definition of abduct

: to take a person away by force : kidnap

abduct

transitive verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ \

Medical Definition of abduct

: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the foot— C. R. Bardeen also : to move (similar parts) apart abduct adjoining fingers

abduct

transitive verb

ab·duct | \ ab-ˈdəkt, əb-

Legal Definition of abduct

: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud also : to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue — see also kidnapping