abduction

noun

ab-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce abduction (audio)
Definition of abductionnext
as in kidnapping
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal discredited reports of abductions by aliens

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 abduction The mother of an 11-year-old Minnesota boy who was kidnapped at gunpoint, assaulted and later killed, and another victim of a childhood abduction and assault, spoke out about trauma, healing and their advocacy work in new interviews. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 17 July 2026 His unit has investigated gang activity, murders, abductions. — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 Theories range from alien abductions to more scientific explanations like susceptibility to unexpected weather changes. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026 The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been running Nancy’s abduction investigation from the start with the aid of the FBI. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
  1. kidnapping
  2. rape
Noun
  • Angela Diaz pleaded guilty in October 2017 to charges, including kidnapping, false imprisonment, forgery, perjury, grand theft and falsely reporting crimes.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
  • Season 9 will kick off in the wake of the kidnapping cliffhanger.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 July 2026
Definition of kidnapping
Noun
  • Last week, six women filed civil complaints against Marie, the former head of Elite Model Management’s Paris office, alleging rape and human trafficking at the Paris Judicial Court.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
  • What remains is a far more interesting addition to the rape-revenge tradition, albeit one that may frustrate viewers expecting more conventional genre thrills from a Fantasia premiere.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
Definition of rape

Browse Nearby Words

abducting
abduction
abductions
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Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abduction

Nglish: Translation of abduction for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abduction

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