abduct

verb

Save Word

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

Other Words from abduct Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About abduct

Examples of abduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Britain's statement comes amid the possibility that Russia might abduct Ukrainian mayors in the country's East and install Kremlin puppets in the latest phase of the war. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022 Ukraine: Russians abduct Kherson mayor Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev has been abducted by Russian forces that occupy the southern city of almost 300,000, a mayoral adviser said. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 Dan Chappel, an Army veteran, was an FBI informant who secretly recorded hours of conversations, participated in chat groups and trained to abduct Whitmer, along with Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. — CBS News, 21 Mar. 2022 Davila was arrested earlier on Friday after she was found with the vehicle officers suspect was used to abduct the infant, according to police. — Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 15 June 2022 The suspects also allegedly tried to abduct the baby from a local Walmart on March 28 and on the morning of the actual kidnapping, but failed both times. — Paul Best, Fox News, 13 May 2022 Who would abduct him, torture him for days and toss him onto a rubbish tip? — Tom Nolan, WSJ, 27 May 2022 An irate Meehan attempted to abduct Terra Newell (as played by Julia Garner in the series) in a parking lot in 2016, leading her to fatally stab him in self-defense. — Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2022 That March, he was arrested again in Newport News, Virginia and charged with allegedly trying to abduct and strangle his then-20-year-old wife, according to The Virginian-Pilot. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, 14 Mar. 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About abduct

Dictionary Entries Near abduct

abducent nerve

abduct

abductee

Statistics for abduct

Last Updated

8 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

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