kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt  ; 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

ˌkid-ˌna-ˈpē 

kidnapper noun

or less commonly kidnaper

Synonyms

• abduct

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom

Recent Examples on the Web

The NBCUniversal streamer will develop the project, which is based on Roth’s mid-2000s horror movies about an underground network of wealthy people who kidnap and torture young tourists staying in hostels. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025

The one and only David Bowie stars as Jareth, The Goblin King, who kidnaps the half-brother of a girl named Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 25 July 2025

After the killings, Vinson is accused of kidnapping her daughter, whom the Free Press is not naming, and the Bernhards' then-9-year-old daughter from the home, authorities allege. —Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 23 July 2025

According to The Associated Press’ July 23 report, militants led by Hamas killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and kidnapped 251 hostages nearly two years ago on Oct. 7. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kidnap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kneecap
• madcap
• mayhap

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap 

kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt  ; 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 

kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt  ; 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