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
And according to a New Yorker Magazine investigation, the van police said was used in Theresa's abduction was actually out of commission and up on cinder blocks the day Theresa went missing.
—
Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The alleged kidnapping of Donaldson was the second time this normally rare type of crime — the abduction of a policeman during the course of his job — has occurred in the East Bay in two months.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Russian officials have repeatedly dismissed the abduction claims, claiming their soldiers have only rescued Ukrainian children and promptly reunited them with their families when possible.
—Caleigh Bartash, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
In a critical moment — witnessing a hit-and-run, an abduction, or reckless driving — the average person is expected to observe, encode, retain, and report a random string of six to eight alphanumeric characters.
—Jay Gardiner, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Mary Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The alleged kidnapping of Donaldson was the second time this normally rare type of crime — the abduction of a policeman during the course of his job — has occurred in the East Bay in two months.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Russian officials have repeatedly dismissed the abduction claims, claiming their soldiers have only rescued Ukrainian children and promptly reunited them with their families when possible.
—Caleigh Bartash, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
In a critical moment — witnessing a hit-and-run, an abduction, or reckless driving — the average person is expected to observe, encode, retain, and report a random string of six to eight alphanumeric characters.
—Jay Gardiner, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
Noun
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At the start of the prosecution’s case on April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
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The 38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her testimony came after a judge last year declared a mistrial on the count of rape.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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In 2024, the Queens native starred in the London production of Lindsey Ferrentino’s eye-opening play, which tells the shattering true story of Nick Yarris, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and spent 22 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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