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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Recent Examples of abduct
An OnlyFans model and influencer has been found safe just a few days after she was abducted at gunpoint in Mexico, authorities said.
—
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
His body was later abducted to Gaza.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Hillside Strangler abducted, raped and murdered 10 young women in Los Angeles in the 70s’ and left their bodies displayed on the hillsides.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Prior to abducting the girl from her bed, Braddy, now 76, had been severely beating Candy's mother Shandelle Maycock, 22, and choked her to the point of unconsciousness multiple times, according to a brief filed in Florida Supreme Court and obtained by PEOPLE.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2026
His body was later abducted to Gaza.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Hillside Strangler abducted, raped and murdered 10 young women in Los Angeles in the 70s’ and left their bodies displayed on the hillsides.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Prior to abducting the girl from her bed, Braddy, now 76, had been severely beating Candy's mother Shandelle Maycock, 22, and choked her to the point of unconsciousness multiple times, according to a brief filed in Florida Supreme Court and obtained by PEOPLE.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduct
kidnap
Verb
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The documentary, directed by Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval tells the story of David, who was kidnapped by Hamas, and twin brother Eitan, who was left behind, waiting over 700 days for his brother’s return.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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The woman was kidnapped in Stockton by Frank Hicks and taken to an apartment in Elk Grove.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduct. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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