as in kidnapping
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal
discredited reports of abductions by aliens
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Recent Examples of abduction
The abduction sparked an operation from Iraqi security forces to track down those responsible and secure her release.
—
Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The army said the assailants were forced to abandon the abduction of 31 hostages after troops responded to a distress call.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Savannah Guthrie joined Good Shepherd New York’s digital Easter gathering on Sunday morning to share a message of hope amid her mother’s unsolved abduction.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Authorities have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, but clues have been scarce.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
The army said the assailants were forced to abandon the abduction of 31 hostages after troops responded to a distress call.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Savannah Guthrie joined Good Shepherd New York’s digital Easter gathering on Sunday morning to share a message of hope amid her mother’s unsolved abduction.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
Noun
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Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane appears to have broken his silence on a federal kidnapping case involving him and his label.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Horner, 34, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jury selection for Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial in a Manhattan courtroom could begin as soon as Tuesday.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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In his third New York prosecution, Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to third-degree rape stemming from an alleged assault on hair stylist and once-aspiring actor Jessica Mann.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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