KIDNAPPED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

kidnapped 1 of 2

adjective

variants also kidnaped

as in abducted

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kidnapped

2 of 2

verb

variants also kidnaped

past tense of kidnap

as in captured

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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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

Verb

The film focuses on Merry, the first witch born on Christmas Day, who must defeat a coven of evil witches that has kidnapped Santa Claus in a bid to destroy Christmas. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 On June 6th, isis kidnapped two French journalists from Alaaeddin’s van. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 More than 50 others were kidnapped, including women and children. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Hairstylist Aldo Signoretti was kidnapped and released for a $300 ransom. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 Affleck plays a Los Angeles mayoral candidate who is thrown into a tailspin when his son is kidnapped. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 One was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American citizen kidnapped from the Nova music festival. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 According to Darshan-Leitner, after Samerano was shot to death by terrorists, his body was picked up by UNRWA workers, placed in a UNRWA vehicle and kidnapped to Gaza. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The 84-year-old woman’s family was sent multiple ransom notes when Nancy was first kidnapped in early 2026, with two of those being released in full by police in July. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapped

Adjective

An impact campaign will accompany the film’s theatrical release, with partners including the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), Bring Kids Back UA (President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s initiative to return abducted children) and War Child International.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Bethune matched the description of the abducted man, and the car that had been intentionally set on fire matched the one driven by the suspects, deputies say.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of abducted

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kidnap

kidnapped

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“Kidnapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapped. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of kidnapped

adjective

verb

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