as in kidnappings
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal
discredited reports of abductions by aliens
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Recent Examples of abductions
There have been 24 fetal abductions reported to the NCMEC in the United States since 1974, according to Steinbach.
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Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
My Book of Firsts — and founded The JAYC Foundation, which helps families recovering from abductions or other traumatic events.
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Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Thankfully, child abductions are rare, but the dogs are used many times to find people with special needs and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Bolling said.
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David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
With the case revolving around a slew of child abductions, Peters starred as Charlie, a boy who was kidnapped at a young age and raised by his captors.
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Rachel Labonte,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
Zamfara has been a hotspot for armed gangs that carry out kidnappings for ransom, with abductions of students increasing in recent years across the country.
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ABC News,
4 June 2026
Accompanying the violence, both the Naxals and the security forces – including local militia raised to combat the rebels – have been accused of horrific human rights abuses, including abductions, torture and rape.
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Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
The last year saw the federal government swarm the city with violent immigration raids and abductions.
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Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Such abductions are rare in that area.
—
Dyepkazah Shibayan,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
My Book of Firsts — and founded The JAYC Foundation, which helps families recovering from abductions or other traumatic events.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Thankfully, child abductions are rare, but the dogs are used many times to find people with special needs and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Bolling said.
—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
With the case revolving around a slew of child abductions, Peters starred as Charlie, a boy who was kidnapped at a young age and raised by his captors.
—
Rachel Labonte,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
Zamfara has been a hotspot for armed gangs that carry out kidnappings for ransom, with abductions of students increasing in recent years across the country.
—
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Accompanying the violence, both the Naxals and the security forces – including local militia raised to combat the rebels – have been accused of horrific human rights abuses, including abductions, torture and rape.
—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
The last year saw the federal government swarm the city with violent immigration raids and abductions.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Such abductions are rare in that area.
—
Dyepkazah Shibayan,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abductions
Noun
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In 2025, 1,268 kidnappings were reported, a nearly 40% drop from the 2,058 kidnapping reported the previous year, the report stated.
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In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.
Noun
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Meanwhile, at least 681 rapes were reported from January to July 2025, with activists noting that unreported cases are much higher.
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Three men, including Jackman, have all been tied to serial rapes in the Westport area in the 1980s.
Cite this Entry
“Abductions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abductions. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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