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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
There were suspicions that he was kidnapped.
—
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Slave catchers could capture them, kidnap them and drag them back South.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Investigators believed Gutherie was kidnapped or abducted.
—Louis Casiano , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Police believe Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Tucson early that morning.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
Slave catchers could capture them, kidnap them and drag them back South.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Investigators believed Gutherie was kidnapped or abducted.
—Louis Casiano , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Police believe Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Tucson early that morning.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnap
abduct
Verb
-
Many children and adults get abducted in poor neighborhoods.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
As the search for Savannah Guthrie‘s missing mother, Nancy, enters its fourth day, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos remains hopeful that the 84-year-old, who disappeared over the weekend and who authorities believe was abducted, is still alive.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnap. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
