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 must pose a credible threat of imminent danger, serious bodily injury or death to the child, according to DPS.
—
Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The sudden assault killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of around 250 more, with more than 67,000 killed in Gaza throughout the ensuing war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry based in the territory, and thousands more detained.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
In orchestrating the flight, Hamida refashions the sequence of events in her own abduction.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
When a young woman (Michie Tomizawa) becomes the target of a powerful vampire lord, Count Lee (Seizô Katô) — first in a ruthless countryside attack, later an abduction — D takes it upon himself to save her.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 2 Nov. 2025
The sudden assault killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to the abduction of around 250 more, with more than 67,000 killed in Gaza throughout the ensuing war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry based in the territory, and thousands more detained.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
In orchestrating the flight, Hamida refashions the sequence of events in her own abduction.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
When a young woman (Michie Tomizawa) becomes the target of a powerful vampire lord, Count Lee (Seizô Katô) — first in a ruthless countryside attack, later an abduction — D takes it upon himself to save her.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
Noun
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One of its founders, William da Silva Lima, spent more than 30 years behind bars after being convicted of armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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The kidnapping, and Hannibal Lecter's confinement in a ballroom take place in Memphis.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The organization announced an investigation by outside law firm Omnia Strategy in January 2024 after allegations of human rights abuses, including rape and torture.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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No More Shame, which focuses on the shocking rape trial of Gisèle Pelicot.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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