variants
also kidnapings
as in abductions
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal
an alert system for the prompt reporting of juvenile kidnappings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kidnappings
In 2025, 1,268 kidnappings were reported, a nearly 40% drop from the 2,058 kidnapping reported the previous year, the report stated.
—
Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnappings
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The rapes continued weekly until August 1994, when Jaycee gave birth to her first child, the Los Angeles Times reported.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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Around 1989, over 70 women were raped in a string of incidents police referred to as the Green Chain rapes.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnappings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnappings. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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