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

Relevance

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 In his telling of the story, the abduction could have ended here. — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Meanwhile, Pi-o discovers through his private investigator that his mother was the one behind Jeong-yo’s abduction. — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026 The investigation is dogged by unanswered questions, such as how many people are believed to have taken part in her abduction and whether she was taken by someone who knew her. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 The third season of Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness centered on the abduction of the spy thriller’s protagonist and the urgent mission to get her back. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
  1. kidnapping
  2. rape
Noun
  • The next year Williams was charged in the Southern District of Iowa for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in the kidnapping case.
    — Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Lavery pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, kidnapping and concealment of a body in 2022 and is serving up to 32 years in prison.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of kidnapping
Noun
  • Russ has a solid roster of people from different stretches of Tyson’s life, from childhood friends to gym partners to follow boxers to family members to several of the women who didn’t divorce him or accuse him of rape.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Soon thereafter, she is diagnosed with dementia and learns that her grandson has committed serial rape.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rape

Browse Nearby Words

abducting
abduction
abductions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on abduction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abduction

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All