Synonyms of kidnapping

kidnapping 1 of 2

noun

variants also kidnaping

as in abduction

the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal

an alert system for the prompt reporting of juvenile kidnappings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abduction
• rape
• hijacking
• snatch
• seizure
• impressment
• shanghaiing

kidnapping

2 of 2

verb

variants also kidnaping

present participle of kidnap

as in abducting

to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abducting
• capturing
• seizing
• snatching
• running off with
• making off with
• hijacking
• stealing
• crimping
• making away with
• waylaying
• impressing
• spiriting
• shanghaiing
• absconding (with)
• taking
• catching
• copping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescuing
• delivering
• returning
• ransoming
• restoring
• redeeming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kidnapping

Noun

In a mountain hamlet, avocado farming lifted once-poor families into the middle class, but opened the door to cartel extortion, kidnapping and fear. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

The driver was found guilty at trial in June of kidnapping, rape and forcible penetration by use of a foreign object. — Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026

Crimes like car theft, kidnapping and missing person reports have been solved quicker when officers can search the Flock database. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026

Allen was then joined by a total of 119 plaintiffs, who sued the city on allegations of kidnapping, abuse and evidence planting at the hands of the Riders. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

There’s so little cohesion from week to week that last episode’s dramatic cliffhanger — Susan in handcuffs after Rhonda accuses her of kidnapping — is brushed off in an aside in the opening scene. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Maduro has characterized his seizure as a kidnapping and called himself a prisoner of war. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

The suspect shot by police in University City on Tuesday was a 39-year-old man with previous assault, firearm and kidnapping charges, according to court records. — Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026

For the story of a kidnapping (the plot is based on the real-life abduction of Dan O’Connell’s nephew), not that much happens. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Tomlin, Fonda and Parton played a trio of secretaries who took revenge on their sexist boss by kidnapping him and enacting changes in the workplace in his name. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Its multiversal premise, which involves a man kidnapping a version of himself from another world, can be hard to wrap your head around, and as the first season went on, things only got harder to follow. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 28 Aug. 2026

One of those holding out hope is kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her home at age 14 in 2002 and rescued nine months later. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026

Host Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a true crime influencer, kidnapping survivor and former law enforcement officer, investigated the disappearance that sparked widespread attention and stirred up social media. — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Lakesha Shanta Brown is accused of kidnapping 4-year-old Zola Cooper and her 11-month-old sister, Norah Cooper. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Sink emerges as Jean Grey, a powerful telepath who uses mind control to attack the organization responsible for kidnapping her sister. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026

Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping a federal employee. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

After kidnapping Sam, Borden rows away from shore and raises a shotgun to his chin. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026