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 of kidnap

• abduct

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Just a few minutes ago, Juan Pablo Guanipa was kidnapped in the Los Chorros urbanization in Caracas. —Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026

Machado wrote in a post on X that Juan Pablo Guanipa, a key ally, was kidnapped by heavily armed men in civilian clothing in the Los Chorros area of the capital. —Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026

Machado accused authorities of kidnapping Guanipa with heavily armed men in civilian clothes, raising fresh concerns about political persecution despite recent prisoner releases. —Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Hoda Kotb returned to the Today show, filling in this morning for Savannah Guthrie as the anchor continues to aid the search for her mother, Nancy, who was allegedly kidnapped. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2026

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