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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Recent Examples of kidnap
That includes the ongoing war in Ukraine, where an early photo of hers became the first evidence of Russian forces targeting civilians, and before that Afghanistan, Sudan, Libya (where she was kidnapped along with three other journalists) and many others.
—
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The victim in the case was just 7 years old when she was kidnapped, raped, strangled, stuffed in the trunk of a car and then thrown off a bridge after being wrapped in a blanket and having a bag tied over her head, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
In the Season 1, Part 2 finale, Kimmie reunites with her younger sister, Sylvie, who was kidnapped by club manager Body (whom Kimmie later runs over in a motel parking lot).
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Healthcare workers are routinely kidnaped and ambulances targeted and looted.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
The victim in the case was just 7 years old when she was kidnapped, raped, strangled, stuffed in the trunk of a car and then thrown off a bridge after being wrapped in a blanket and having a bag tied over her head, according to the Worcester County District Attorney's Office.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
In the Season 1, Part 2 finale, Kimmie reunites with her younger sister, Sylvie, who was kidnapped by club manager Body (whom Kimmie later runs over in a motel parking lot).
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Healthcare workers are routinely kidnaped and ambulances targeted and looted.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kidnap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnap
abduct
Verb
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Nathan Alan Gingles is accused of abducting his 4-year-daughter and killing her mother, grandfather and a neighbor in Tamarac.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Poquianchis recruited young girls from nearby towns and farms, deceiving families with false promises of work or abducting girls when alone.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnap. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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