kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping

transitive verb

: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnappee noun
or kidnapee
kidnapper noun
or less commonly kidnaper

Example Sentences

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web Finding out that Joe actually did kidnap Marianne (Tati Gabrielle) and kept her in one of his infamous boxes was devastating. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2023 Prosecutors contended that Stallworth and Brown planned all day to kidnap a child and did so on Oct. 12, 2019, at Birmingham’s Tom Brown Village public housing community. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 9 Mar. 2023 Other commentators turned to satire, mocking that MrBeast’s fans are irrationally loyal people who would go as far as to kidnap and torture hapless customers who disturbed Feastables displays. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2023 And threatening to kidnap or physically damage someone’s property can land you in prison for up to 20 years. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023 As the full extent of the insurrection becomes clear, the FBI is also investigating whether some of the rioters had plans to kidnap members of Congress and hold them hostage. Colleen Long, Michael Balsamo And Lisa Mascaro, Chron, 10 Jan. 2021 The plot involved plans to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home and blow up a bridge to help the kidnappers escape authorities. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2022 Barry Croft, 47 years old, of Bear, Del., was described by federal prosecutors as the ideas man in the foiled 2020 plan to kidnap Ms. Whitmer, a Democrat. Ben Kesling, WSJ, 28 Dec. 2022 The men, who were convicted of aiding a plan to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, were given sentences that could put all three in prison for at least seven years. Eliza Fawcett, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2022 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidnap was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near kidnap

Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping
-ˌnap-iŋ
: to carry away a person by unlawful force or by fraud and against his or her will
kidnapper noun
also kidnaper
-ˌnap-ər

Legal Definition

kidnap

transitive verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping or kidnaping
-ˌna-piŋ
: to seize and confine or carry away by force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnapper noun
or kidnaper
-ˌna-pər
Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief

More from Merriam-Webster on kidnap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY