Definition of abductnext
as in to kidnap
to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully the gangsters planned to abduct the industrialist's young daughter and demand a huge ransom from her family

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abduct Dissidents were abducted and taken to clandestine detention centers, where they were tortured and held in inhumane conditions. Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 The date is 20 days before Guthrie was allegedly abducted from her home. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, Tokyo wants to resolve the cases of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea during the 1970s and 1980s. ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 The 20,000 figure includes only the children Ukraine knows about – and Save Ukraine continues to identify new cases of children abducted into Russia. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduct
kidnap
Verb
  • Marisela Mojica, Domínguez’s mother, sent six of her children and grandchildren away after her daughter was kidnapped by people claiming to be the Nueva Familia Michoacana.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • In 2019, Atre was kidnapped and found brutally murdered at his Santa Cruz estate.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduct. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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