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

Just ask Indianapolis’s Tony Kiritsis, who, in February of 1977, parlayed an ideological kidnapping into an unlikely turn as a folk hero. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026

The investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims are the parents of a man who allegedly participated in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in Bitcoin, according to court records. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

Gutierrez was initially arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and assault. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

A week ago, the Chiefs were in Seattle, who signed cornerback Terrion Arnold in August, knowing Arnold is still facing eight first-degree felony chargers, including three counts of kidnapping, which could carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Realtor Monica Castelli is accused of kidnapping and elderly exploitation, while notary Derek Enrique is charged with falsifying a document. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Other armed groups and criminal gangs also operate there, with civilians facing killings, extortion and kidnapping. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

David and his brother were eventually released in October 2025, more than two years after their kidnapping, with Shoval updating the film to reflect his friend’s return home. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 26 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

Verb

Michael McCoy, 34, is charged with kidnapping the woman and holding her for three days. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026

Buchanan, 72, had been incarcerated since 2004 for kidnapping a convict who was harassing a corrupt prison guard. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

The North has previously reacted with fury to high-profile defections by its citizens, sometimes accusing South Korea of kidnapping them. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

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

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