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
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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
Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
The kidnapping, and Hannibal Lecter's confinement in a ballroom take place in Memphis.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
When the kidnapping becomes a matter of state, the entire French government apparatus intervenes to find the little girl.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Several young Angolan men, all with criminal records of armed robbery and kidnapping, have also been accused in the case, according to the Angolan federal Criminal Investigation Service.
—Nathan Bowe, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
One of the film’s standout moments — the early kidnapping sequence — captures that precision and playfulness.
—Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
According to Adams, Koehler forced the woman from her upstairs bedroom down to downstairs, purposely disorienting her — the basis for the kidnapping charge he was also found guilty of.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Here’s everything to know about her kidnapping at the hands of Bobby Joe Long.
—Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Shortly after, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape and malice murder charges.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Three men who escaped a Georgia jail were arrested Monday in Florida, accused of hijacking a Lyft ride-share and kidnapping the driver after putting a rope around her neck, according to a criminal complaint.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Video shows the moment a mother was arrested for allegedly kidnapping her child, who has been missing since the 1980s.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Gutierrez-Ochoa was wanted in Mexico on suspicion of kidnapping two Mexican Navy members in 2021 to secure the release of El Mencho's wife after she had been arrested by Mexican authorities, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration agent's affidavit.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
But their secret is eventually uncovered, and Constance tasks Roache with kidnapping Dahlia in order to draw Fiona to her ranch.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025
When it is confirmed that Fiona and her children are responsible for the death of Constance's son, Willem (Toby Hemingway), Constance strikes back, kidnapping Fiona's daughter, Dahlia (Diana Silvers).
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
He is accused of kidnapping activists during the 1998 mass protests that led to Suharto’s downfall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
That’s one of the things that Teddy (Jesse Plemons), an incel eco-terrorist, says to Michelle (Emma Stone) after kidnapping her with his neurodivergent cousin Donny (newcomer Aidan Delbis) and tying her up in their basement.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
One of its founders, William da Silva Lima, spent more than 30 years behind bars after being convicted of armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
The kidnapping, and Hannibal Lecter's confinement in a ballroom take place in Memphis.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
When the kidnapping becomes a matter of state, the entire French government apparatus intervenes to find the little girl.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Several young Angolan men, all with criminal records of armed robbery and kidnapping, have also been accused in the case, according to the Angolan federal Criminal Investigation Service.
—Nathan Bowe, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
One of the film’s standout moments — the early kidnapping sequence — captures that precision and playfulness.
—Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
According to Adams, Koehler forced the woman from her upstairs bedroom down to downstairs, purposely disorienting her — the basis for the kidnapping charge he was also found guilty of.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Here’s everything to know about her kidnapping at the hands of Bobby Joe Long.
—Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Shortly after, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape and malice murder charges.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
But swooping into a foreign capital and kidnapping another country’s de facto leader, so he can be tried in your country’s criminal courts, is well outside the bounds of international law, however tyrannical that leader may be.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026
Three men who escaped a Georgia jail were arrested Monday in Florida, accused of hijacking a Lyft ride-share and kidnapping the driver after putting a rope around her neck, according to a criminal complaint.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 27 Dec. 2025
Video shows the moment a mother was arrested for allegedly kidnapping her child, who has been missing since the 1980s.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Gutierrez-Ochoa was wanted in Mexico on suspicion of kidnapping two Mexican Navy members in 2021 to secure the release of El Mencho's wife after she had been arrested by Mexican authorities, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration agent's affidavit.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
But their secret is eventually uncovered, and Constance tasks Roache with kidnapping Dahlia in order to draw Fiona to her ranch.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025
When it is confirmed that Fiona and her children are responsible for the death of Constance's son, Willem (Toby Hemingway), Constance strikes back, kidnapping Fiona's daughter, Dahlia (Diana Silvers).
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
He is accused of kidnapping activists during the 1998 mass protests that led to Suharto’s downfall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
That’s one of the things that Teddy (Jesse Plemons), an incel eco-terrorist, says to Michelle (Emma Stone) after kidnapping her with his neurodivergent cousin Donny (newcomer Aidan Delbis) and tying her up in their basement.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapping
Noun
-
While colectivo members were largely quiet immediately after Maduro’s abduction, some videos released on social media and news outlets have shown men believed to be colectivo members harassing reporters and people in the streets.—
Rebecca Hanson,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Justice Department opinion allows ‘forcible abductions’ abroad In ordering Noriega’s removal, the White House relied on a 1989 legal opinion by then-Assistant Attorney General Bill Barr, issued six months before the invasion.—
Joshua Goodman,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, a sinister witch (Sarah Stephens) who bathes her broomstick in the woods tortures their existence, abducting their infant and leaving the family in shambles.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
He was convicted of raping and killing a 6-year-old girl in 1979 after entering through a window and abducting her from her central Florida home.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If the rape had happened at a suburban hospital, people would be demanding investigations and accountability.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
-
However, Weinstein’s attorney Aidala expressed his frustration in court Thursday at the fact that the rape charge was going to a trial for a third time, rather than coming to some kind of resolution with the prosecution.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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