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 conflict begins with the abduction of a young Mexican woman by the tribe.
—
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 2 Mar. 2026
Witnesses told police that a van, matching the description of the one used in the abduction and found in Franklin, had been spotted on July 25, 1996, in the area of where Morgan's body was found.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
An Alabama inmate, who had previously escaped jail twice, was charged this week in the July 1996 cold-case abduction and murder of a 7-year-old Kentucky girl, authorities announced at a news conference.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Near the two-year anniversary of Morgan’s abduction, the FBI special agent in charge of Kentucky at the time, Charles Riley, told The Courier Journal that the FBI was no longer looking into Glen Violi.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 2 Mar. 2026
Witnesses told police that a van, matching the description of the one used in the abduction and found in Franklin, had been spotted on July 25, 1996, in the area of where Morgan's body was found.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
An Alabama inmate, who had previously escaped jail twice, was charged this week in the July 1996 cold-case abduction and murder of a 7-year-old Kentucky girl, authorities announced at a news conference.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Near the two-year anniversary of Morgan’s abduction, the FBI special agent in charge of Kentucky at the time, Charles Riley, told The Courier Journal that the FBI was no longer looking into Glen Violi.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
Noun
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Investigators have had glimpses of vehicles from various cameras but, as yet, have not associated a particular vehicle to Guthrie's kidnapping, sources familiar with the case told ABC News.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Twenty-four hours after the kidnapping, the community held a prayer vigil, and pictures of Morgan were posted on the doors of seemingly every store and restaurant and on utility poles, The Courier Journal reported.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This information can help trigger action to prevent rape and violence against women and children.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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And with luck, the public will now refuse to vote for District Attorneys who disrespect victims and refuse to file rape and child abuse cases.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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