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

Haiti’s government described the incident as a kidnapping and said the search for the technicians was its top priority. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Investigators say that surveillance video of the kidnapping shows a man wearing black gloves getting out of the same vehicle. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Gangs such as Chen Mechan and 400 Mawozo make money through kidnapping and draw weapons from national supplies in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic and purchases in the United States. — Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

The kidnapping underscores the gangs’ grip on Haiti’s capital as the country prepares for its first general election in more than a decade. — Yolanda Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Sullivan faces two counts of first-degree kidnapping and a single count each of first-degree assault, first-degree unlawful restraint and intentional cruelty to persons. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Morad spearheads the kidnapping of Julie, who gives birth in a scene of gonzo fakery, with the militia men acting as obstetricians. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

He is charged with battery causing bodily harm and kidnapping and inflicting bodily harm upon or terrorizing a victim. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Last month, the State Department updated its travel advisory for Peru, warning Americans about crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

Determined to win her back, Ralph devises a crazy plan involving kidnapping the former child star of his favorite Christmas movie. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

In the eighteen-seventies, after thieves began kidnapping bank managers, James Sargent invented the first commercially successful time lock. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

But the North previously reacted with fury to major defections of its citizens, accusing South Korea of kidnapping them. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Another section describes the government’s response to protests in 2014, when the government says Maduro discussed kidnapping military officers suspected of disloyalty and using torture to force them to reveal information about potential plots. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is increasing the reward for an Atlanta man accused of kidnapping a driver at gunpoint on Interstate 20. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Jacob Fatu tried to get his family to simmer down and wait for the right moment to strike, but for him, kidnapping Sikoa was the last straw. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 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

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