as in to abduct
to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom

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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 kidnap He was allegedly kidnapped and raped during a previous stay in Mexico. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2025 After eluding arrest, officials kidnapped his daughter and threatened to assault her if Saharkhiz did not surrender. Karl Vick, Time, 23 June 2025 Buxton kidnapped the clerk, driving away from the hotel with her inside his car, according to prosecutors. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2025 When the invasion begins, the women are racing across the country, having kidnapped a trailer full of bachelors in an effort by two of the women, who are sisters, to get their missing mother’s attention. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnap
abduct
Verb
  • Police believe that Fraizer was abducted by his father, Christopher Upshaw, and have released a photograph of them both alongside their release.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 16 June 2025
  • In November, Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye and his aide were also abducted in Nairobi, only to emerge four days later in military court in Kampala, Uganda.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnap. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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