abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən 

əb-

1

: the action of abducting : the condition of being abducted

2

archaic : the unlawful carrying away of a woman for marriage or sexual intercourse

Synonyms of abduction

• kidnapping
• rape

Examples of abduction in a Sentence

discredited reports of abductions by aliens

Recent Examples on the Web

Weeks after the neighbor of an Idaho boy was charged with his first-degree murder, authorities haven’t publicly identified any other suspects — despite court records indicating three other people were involved in his abduction and killing. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Dec. 2025

Determined to get her child back, Maureen partners with Robeson (Eastwood), an ex-marine and child abduction specialist who promises to find Amina. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2025

Hoggle was initially arrested and charged with neglect and abduction, both misdemeanors. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

Nigeria has seen a rising amount of crime with kidnappings and abductions. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin abdūctiōn-, abdūctiō "withdrawal, removal, allurement," from Latin abdūcere "to lead away" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abduct

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for abduction

• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Legal Definition

abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- 

1

a

: the action of abducting

abduction of a robbery victim

b

: the tort or felony of abducting a person

2

: the unlawful carrying away of a wife or female child or ward for the purpose of marriage or sexual intercourse

Note: Sense 2 has its roots in common law. As statutorily defined, mainly in the nineteenth century, abduction was generally stated to include taking away or detention of a woman under a certain age, usually 16 or 18, with or without her consent or knowledge of her age.