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
Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
The 38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The alleged kidnapping of Donaldson was the second time this normally rare type of crime — the abduction of a policeman during the course of his job — has occurred in the East Bay in two months.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Horner also returned to the scene, where a woman told him the area was blocked off because of the kidnapping.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
This all comes after former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer recently wrote on X that the motive behind the kidnapping was probably the simplest one.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026
Mitchell was convicted of interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor and is currently serving life in prison.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The pair are charged with a slew of offenses, including murder, robbery, kidnapping and burglary.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
He was arrested and booked for multiple charges, including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism and domestic violence, according to police.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 24 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
On April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Athena.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 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
An Arizona sheriff’s deputy is accused of kidnapping a woman while on duty and was fired from the department investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, authorities said.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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, 24 Apr. 2026
The 38-year-old Smart, whose harrowing kidnapping story captivated the nation, announced her latest endeavor on Instagram over the weekend with a photo showing off her impressive physique.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The alleged kidnapping of Donaldson was the second time this normally rare type of crime — the abduction of a policeman during the course of his job — has occurred in the East Bay in two months.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Horner also returned to the scene, where a woman told him the area was blocked off because of the kidnapping.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
This all comes after former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer recently wrote on X that the motive behind the kidnapping was probably the simplest one.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Apr. 2026
Mitchell was convicted of interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor and is currently serving life in prison.
—Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The pair are charged with a slew of offenses, including murder, robbery, kidnapping and burglary.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
He was arrested and booked for multiple charges, including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism and domestic violence, according to police.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The defense has wrapped its first week presenting testimony in the capital murder trial of Tanner Horner, the former FedEx contract driver who admitted to kidnapping and killing 7‑year‑old Athena Strand in Wise County in 2022.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 24 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
On April 7, Horner pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Athena.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 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
An Arizona sheriff’s deputy is accused of kidnapping a woman while on duty and was fired from the department investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, authorities said.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapping
Noun
-
The alert was inspired by the 1996 abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas.—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Fans will have to tune in next week to find out Andrea's fate — and see if her abduction rattles Kayce.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
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At the start of the trial, Horner admitted to abducting Athena while delivering a package to her father’s home in Paradise, a town of fewer than 500 people about 60 miles northwest of Dallas.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is the former movie producer's third rape trial in New York after he was tried in 2020 and 2025.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mann first met Weinstein at an engagement party in February 2013, six weeks before the alleged rape.—
Karla Cote,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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