variants
also kidnaped
as in abducted
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
variants
also kidnaped
as in captured
to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 kidnapped
Elizabeth Hartfield, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
The man who kidnapped Savannah Guthrie’s mother will eventually be arrested, according to lawyer and radio host Arthur Aidala.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
The vast majority of people who are reported missing are believed to be runaways — not kidnapped or abducted.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
All were kidnapped at the same moment.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Earlier this week, the FBI released doorbell camera footage of a suspect, recorded at Guthrie's home shortly before authorities believe she was abducted or kidnapped.
—Peter D'abrosca , Michael Ruiz , Matt Finn, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie’s mom disappeared from her house over ten days ago, with police confirming shortly after that she had been kidnapped.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Our hearts go out to the family of NBC morning show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie whose mother was kidnapped — their pain is unimaginable.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
Just a few minutes ago, Juan Pablo Guanipa was kidnapped in the Los Chorros urbanization in Caracas.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The secluded area in Arizona where Guthrie lives and appears to have been kidnapped in the early morning hours of February 1 continues to present obstacles, as does the intense media scrutiny.
—Elizabeth Hartfield, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
The man who kidnapped Savannah Guthrie’s mother will eventually be arrested, according to lawyer and radio host Arthur Aidala.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
The vast majority of people who are reported missing are believed to be runaways — not kidnapped or abducted.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
All were kidnapped at the same moment.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Earlier this week, the FBI released doorbell camera footage of a suspect, recorded at Guthrie's home shortly before authorities believe she was abducted or kidnapped.
—Peter D'abrosca , Michael Ruiz , Matt Finn, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Savannah Guthrie’s mom disappeared from her house over ten days ago, with police confirming shortly after that she had been kidnapped.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Our hearts go out to the family of NBC morning show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie whose mother was kidnapped — their pain is unimaginable.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
Just a few minutes ago, Juan Pablo Guanipa was kidnapped in the Los Chorros urbanization in Caracas.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapped
Adjective
-
According to a criminal complaint, in December, the mother of the abducted girl had an unusual encounter with Bragg on Facebook.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In response to Amber's heart-wrenching case, a Texas mom named Diana Simone had the idea to create an emergency system for abducted children, similar to a weather or civil defense alert.—
Emily Krauser,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Too many companies remain trapped optimizing outdated growth systems designed for stability, predictability, and media scale rather than relevance, agility, and cultural fluency.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
If your water source contains a large percentage of minerals (hard water), the minerals become trapped in the fibers, leaving them feeling stiff.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapped. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
