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

If they are convicted of kidnapping a federal employee, they could be imprisoned for life. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 July 2026

Set in Murcia, a coming of age tale in which a half gitano boy is abandoned by his father, goes to live with his grandmother, who has kidnapped his father. — John Hopewell, Variety, 17 July 2026

Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his adult son were charged with kidnapping a federal employee after a standoff that stretched from late morning into the early hours of the next day. — Ruyuan Li. Summary Produced By Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

The mother of an 11-year-old Minnesota boy who was kidnapped at gunpoint, assaulted and later killed, and another victim of a childhood abduction and assault, spoke out about trauma, healing and their advocacy work in new interviews. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 17 July 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