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
kid·nap·per
variants
or kidnaper
-pə(r)
plural -s
: one that kidnaps
especially
: one that abducts a child for ransom
Examples of kidnap in a Sentence
Verb
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 June 2026
On the morning of dueling public marches (now also featuring gay-rights activists), Roche, who has moved to the area temporarily, succeeds in kidnapping Cantrell.
—Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
San Juan, Puerto RicoAP — Armed men in Haiti have kidnapped James Boyard, cabinet director of the Defense Ministry and a highly respected security expert who also serves as inspector general of Haiti’s police, a person with the knowledge of the situation said Saturday.
—CNN Money, 13 June 2026
At least 267 people were reported kidnapped from December to February, most of them men, according to a United Nations report.
—Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
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Verb
In May, two seafarers aboard a cargo vessel anchored in the Bay of Port-au-Prince were kidnapped after gunmen boarded their ship.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 June 2026
On the morning of dueling public marches (now also featuring gay-rights activists), Roche, who has moved to the area temporarily, succeeds in kidnapping Cantrell.
—Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
San Juan, Puerto RicoAP — Armed men in Haiti have kidnapped James Boyard, cabinet director of the Defense Ministry and a highly respected security expert who also serves as inspector general of Haiti’s police, a person with the knowledge of the situation said Saturday.
—CNN Money, 13 June 2026
At least 267 people were reported kidnapped from December to February, most of them men, according to a United Nations report.
—Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 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 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
Transitive verb
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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