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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kidnapping
Kendrick Calfee
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
This came partly because of two ransom notes received from a person claiming to have information about the kidnapping.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 8 May 2026
The comment came after Burnett brought up the missing Nancy Guthrie and connected it to Smart's own kidnapping case.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The kidnapping charge is related to what happened after the shooting.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The sheriff's office has also obtained a warrant for simple kidnapping under Louisiana law.
—Briauna Brown, CBS News, 8 May 2026
His lawyers, who have sought to maintain their client’s innocence on the more serious charges, have highlighted that the murder and kidnapping charges were filed nearly seven years after the 2019 incident.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Tanner Horner, the former FedEx driver who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand, was sentenced to death Tuesday afternoon on the 17th day of his capital murder trial in Tarrant County.
—Harriet Ramos
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
The Chapitos helped Rocha Moya, who has been governor since November 2021, get elected by stealing ballots, as well as kidnapping and intimidating opponents, the document said.
—Tom Winter, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office is requesting the state Supreme Court to review a ruling that overturned the conviction of the man found guilty of murdering and kidnapping Sierra LaMar in 2012.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
He is also accused of kidnapping the granddaughter of one of his victims, who was just 7 months old at the time.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 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
Kataib Hezbollah has been accused of kidnapping other foreigners.
—Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Niebla-Machado gave the agent a firearm and a Dodge Ram pickup truck as a down payment for the kidnapping, according to court records.
—Kendrick Calfee
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
This came partly because of two ransom notes received from a person claiming to have information about the kidnapping.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 8 May 2026
The comment came after Burnett brought up the missing Nancy Guthrie and connected it to Smart's own kidnapping case.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The kidnapping charge is related to what happened after the shooting.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The sheriff's office has also obtained a warrant for simple kidnapping under Louisiana law.
—Briauna Brown, CBS News, 8 May 2026
His lawyers, who have sought to maintain their client’s innocence on the more serious charges, have highlighted that the murder and kidnapping charges were filed nearly seven years after the 2019 incident.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Verb
Schools as a grassroots power base also helps explain why the people of Minneapolis were able to mount a disciplined and effective defense against ICE when its agents began kidnapping their children on their way to and from school.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Tanner Horner, the former FedEx driver who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Athena Strand, was sentenced to death Tuesday afternoon on the 17th day of his capital murder trial in Tarrant County.
—Harriet Ramos
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
The Chapitos helped Rocha Moya, who has been governor since November 2021, get elected by stealing ballots, as well as kidnapping and intimidating opponents, the document said.
—Tom Winter, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office is requesting the state Supreme Court to review a ruling that overturned the conviction of the man found guilty of murdering and kidnapping Sierra LaMar in 2012.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
He is also accused of kidnapping the granddaughter of one of his victims, who was just 7 months old at the time.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 28 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
Kataib Hezbollah has been accused of kidnapping other foreigners.
—Todd Richmond, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapping
Noun
-
As of May 2026, British detectives began working on how to bring Brueckner to Britain, so he can officially be charged with Madeleine's abduction and murder.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
The investigation into her abduction is ongoing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
She was charged with abducting a child under the age of 12 and abduction of a child by a relative.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
At least six other incidents of people directly witnessing rapes and gang rapes are outlined in the report, with all of the witnesses describing victims being shot dead.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
Following a jury trial, Pasqual was also convicted of counts of injuring a spouse or partner, first-degree burglary and rape, according to court documents.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
