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 May, Tony Carruthers, who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering three people in 1994, was not executed because officials could not find a suitable vein for an IV line, so the drugs were not administered. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Singh previously pleaded guilty to numerous charges, including murder for hire, kidnapping and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm during a crime of violence, federal prosecutors said in the news release. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026

In May state officials called off the lethal injection of Tony Carruthers, who was convicted of kidnapping and killing three people in 1994, after executioners tried and failed for over an hour to place an IV to administer pentobarbital. — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Pierre has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, according to affiliates. — Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

In August, Sierra pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping, two counts of abuse of a human body and one count of burglary. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

He was also charged with kidnapping, armed burglary and abuse of a human body. — Sergio Candido, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The Grants offer Seema up as a scullery maid to make amends with the Frasers for all that kidnapping business, but Arch Bug really just wants to know if Henry returns for Julia. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Two other members of the kidnapping ring became government cooperators. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Someone had come up with the idea of kidnapping Shergar and holdin' him to ransom. — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Five people have been indicted for allegedly kidnapping a man at gunpoint in Hartford earlier this year and holding him ransom. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026

Host Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a true crime influencer, kidnapping survivor and former law enforcement officer went to Hall's hometown of Palm Bay to investigate her disappearance. — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

About a half-million people were reported missing last year in the United States, including those who may have left voluntarily, missing minors, kidnapping victims and others, according to the FBI’s Crime Information Center. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

The state police should be focusing on fighting real crimes and not kidnapping immigrants in order to receive federal grant dollars. — Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026

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