Definition of kidnap
kidnapped
alsokidnaped
play \ˈkid-ˌnapt\;kidnapping
alsokidnaping
transitive verb
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnapper
or less commonlykidnaper
nounRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of kidnap in a Sentence
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples of kidnap from the Web
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As The Root previously reported, 82 of the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram were released last month, but 113 girls remain unaccounted for.
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The militants immediately kidnapped some of his best fighters.
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A 26-year-old Kentwood man is under arrest, accused of stealing three weapons, kidnapping a woman at gunpoint and engaging in a shootout with law enforcement officers.
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Assad regime and Russian forces were behind 91 percent of those attacks, according to the report; the Islamic State sometimes kidnaps doctors but has no airforce capable of aerial assaults.
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News of the incident comes just over a week after another Charlotte Uber driver was kidnapped and killed.
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Thirteen aid workers were kidnapped by al-Shabab and other local militias in April, the highest monthly total since 2011.
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An Edgewood man was arrested last week and ordered held without bail for allegedly kidnapping and carjacking an acquaintance in late April, the Harford County Sheriff's Office said.
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Heterosexual Jill House of Wax Kidnapped Knuckleball!
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.
Origin and Etymology of kidnap
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief
First Known Use: 1682
KIDNAP Defined for English Language Learners
kidnap
playDefinition of kidnap for English Language Learners
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: to take away (someone) by force usually in order to keep the person as a prisoner and demand money for returning the person
KIDNAP Defined for Kids
kidnap
playDefinition of kidnap for Students
kidnapped
\-ˌnapt\;kidnapping
: to carry away a person by force or by fraud and against his or her will
kidnapper
nounLaw Dictionary
Origin and Etymology of kidnap
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
Learn More about kidnap
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See words that rhyme with kidnap Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for kidnap Spanish Central: Translation of kidnap Nglish: Translation of kidnap for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of kidnap for Arabic speakers
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