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
Relevance
variants
also kidnaping
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kidnapping
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The extended narrative emerges after federal prosecutors announced robbery and kidnapping charges in the case this week, nearly two months after the incident made headlines.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Every day, there’s a new theory about the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, but as more information is made available, some theories start to shape out what could have happened.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
Two deputies fired their weapons at a suspect wanted on an arrest warrant for kidnapping and lewd acts on a child following a multi-county pursuit in Northern California, deputies said.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 1 May 2026
After 24 years, Paul Hicks was indicted on three counts of murder and one count of kidnapping in 2025.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Joaquín Guzmán, a former leader of the Chapitos, confessed to the 2024 kidnapping of Zambada, snatching him at a meeting, flying him by private plane to the United States and handing him over to authorities.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
At the start of the prosecution’s case on April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
The New York-native portrayed the film’s villain Conti, an Italian-American mafia don behind the kidnapping of the Ballettos’ daughter.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Tom Winter, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office is requesting the state Supreme Court to review a ruling that overturned the conviction of the man found guilty of murdering and kidnapping Sierra LaMar in 2012.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
He is also accused of kidnapping the granddaughter of one of his victims, who was just 7 months old at the time.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Barzee pleaded guilty to kidnapping Smart and served six years of a 15-year sentence in federal prison before being released in 2018.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
After kidnapping the child, Horner strangled Athena and dumped her body in the Trinity River in rural Wise County.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Kataib Hezbollah has been accused of kidnapping other foreigners.
—Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Dozens of armed groups run rampant in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, extorting businesses, kidnapping people and driving farmers off their land.
—Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
At a news conference on Monday announcing Lawhead’s arrest, Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said his office will file a charge of murder against Lawhead, along with two special circumstance allegations for killing Wanner during the commission of rape and kidnapping.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The extended narrative emerges after federal prosecutors announced robbery and kidnapping charges in the case this week, nearly two months after the incident made headlines.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Every day, there’s a new theory about the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, but as more information is made available, some theories start to shape out what could have happened.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026
Two deputies fired their weapons at a suspect wanted on an arrest warrant for kidnapping and lewd acts on a child following a multi-county pursuit in Northern California, deputies said.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 1 May 2026
After 24 years, Paul Hicks was indicted on three counts of murder and one count of kidnapping in 2025.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Joaquín Guzmán, a former leader of the Chapitos, confessed to the 2024 kidnapping of Zambada, snatching him at a meeting, flying him by private plane to the United States and handing him over to authorities.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
At the start of the prosecution’s case on April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to capital murder in the course of kidnapping.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
The New York-native portrayed the film’s villain Conti, an Italian-American mafia don behind the kidnapping of the Ballettos’ daughter.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Chapitos helped Rocha Moya, who has been governor since November 2021, get elected by stealing ballots, as well as kidnapping and intimidating opponents, the document said.
—Tom Winter, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office is requesting the state Supreme Court to review a ruling that overturned the conviction of the man found guilty of murdering and kidnapping Sierra LaMar in 2012.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
He is also accused of kidnapping the granddaughter of one of his victims, who was just 7 months old at the time.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Barzee pleaded guilty to kidnapping Smart and served six years of a 15-year sentence in federal prison before being released in 2018.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
After kidnapping the child, Horner strangled Athena and dumped her body in the Trinity River in rural Wise County.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Kataib Hezbollah has been accused of kidnapping other foreigners.
—Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Dozens of armed groups run rampant in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, extorting businesses, kidnapping people and driving farmers off their land.
—Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapping
Noun
-
Fritz also reviewed clips of the abduction video that shows Horner placing Athena in his FedEx truck.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But in 2003, Santa Barbara police arrested Jackson on 10 criminal counts, including child molestation, abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
She was charged with abducting a child under the age of 12 and abduction of a child by a relative.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Police said about 30 minutes after allegedly abducting the teen girl, the suspect took her to the gas station where Abohatem worked and told her to buy him cigarettes.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her testimony came after a judge last year declared a mistrial on the count of rape.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In 2024, the Queens native starred in the London production of Lindsey Ferrentino’s eye-opening play, which tells the shattering true story of Nick Yarris, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and spent 22 years on Pennsylvania’s death row.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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