kidnapped also kidnaped
ˈkid-ˌnapt 
; kidnapping also kidnaping
; kidnapping also kidnaping
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
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
When Rotta the Hutt is kidnapped and held on a new planet, Shakari, Göransson goes hard on the electronic synths.
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 May 2026
The plot of the series sees the band kidnapped by a deranged fan who forces them to release new music.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 May 2026
In order to cope with her loneliness, Paula has also developed a fondness for a cam boy named Trevor (played by Brandon Flynn) who, in the first episode of the series, is suddenly assaulted and kidnapped on camera in the middle of a session Paula is paying for.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 May 2026
This week, he was arrested for the fourth time this year in Miami-Dade on one count of molestation of a child younger than 12 involving a defendant age 18 or older and one count of kidnapping a child under 13 to commit a lewd and lascivious act, court records show.
—Sofia Saric
may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
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Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 May 2026
The plot of the series sees the band kidnapped by a deranged fan who forces them to release new music.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 May 2026
In order to cope with her loneliness, Paula has also developed a fondness for a cam boy named Trevor (played by Brandon Flynn) who, in the first episode of the series, is suddenly assaulted and kidnapped on camera in the middle of a session Paula is paying for.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 May 2026
This week, he was arrested for the fourth time this year in Miami-Dade on one count of molestation of a child younger than 12 involving a defendant age 18 or older and one count of kidnapping a child under 13 to commit a lewd and lascivious act, court records show.
—Sofia Saric
may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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