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

Members of the Montreal City Police Department found the weapon, a Glock 26, on August 30, 2024, when officers raided a home in relation to a kidnapping investigation, court records show. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026

The Malheur standoff also drew in the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, which Northern California sheriffs credited for talking down the Henrichsens and ending last month’s kidnapping without bloodshed. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026

He was taken into custody on a warrant charging him with first-degree murder and kidnapping. — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026

The Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, now beyond the six-month mark, has seemingly made very little progress. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026

Two months after the abduction, the body of 20-month-old Charles was found; he had probably been killed during the kidnapping. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Ruffalo plays Tom Brandis, a former priest who now heads an FBI task force looking into a string of murders and drug deals — as well as a spur-of-the-moment kidnapping — that happened in the backwoods of Pennsylvania’s Delaware County. — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

Personal crime accounts for a quarter of all crimes committed in Naperville and includes cases of murder, assault and kidnapping/unlawful restraint. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

He’s been charged with kidnapping, resisting arrest and two counts of assault on a peace officer. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping a federal employee. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026

After kidnapping Sam, Borden rows away from shore and raises a shotgun to his chin. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, appeared in federal court in Sacramento on Monday but did not enter pleas to charges of kidnapping a federal employee and aiding and abetting. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 July 2026

Both Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen are charged with two counts of kidnapping federal employees. — Robert McGreevy , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026

Henrichsen will be charged with kidnapping a federal employee, investigators said. — Alex Stone, ABC News, 17 July 2026

He was found not guilty of kidnapping his ex but was convicted of domestic battery by strangulation. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

And the surviving cartel scoundrels take the parting shot by kidnapping beloved Carter, putting a hood on him and taking the boy off. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026

One of the other six defendants, Emily Motyka, pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping charges earlier this month, MacBride said in a June 2 statement. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026