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

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With his wife Sharon, their then two-year-old twin daughters, brother Ariel and his partner Arbel, Cunio was among 76 people kidnapped from the Nir Oz kibbutz some four miles (7km) from the Gaza border, while another 47 inhabitants were killed. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025 Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival alongside his partner, Noa Argamani, was reportedly starved during his captivity and lost 30-40% of his body weight, according to Israel's Channel 12. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025 In an interview with police, Bowles acknowledged inviting Fuller to the party, but denied knowing of any plan to kidnap or kill her. Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025 The man — who was not identified — had allegedly been threatened and kidnapped by the men at his home in Adelaide in April following confusion over a cryptocurrency payment, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kidnap

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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!